March 29, 2024

Costa Football executes comeback win against Crescenta Valley

(Left) Senior Jonah Tavai runs through the opposing team's defense. The Mira Costa football team advances into the second round of CIF playoffs after defeating Crescenta Valley High School, 13-12.

Online Sports Editor

Cole Garvey

With the help of a magical fourth quarter comeback, the Mustangs were able to defeat the Crescenta Valley Falcons 13-12.

Mira Costa’s varsity football team was victorious in their first game of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs. Costa’s comeback victory took place on Nov. 10 at Glendale High School.

“Truly our defense was the key to the game and got enough offense going to score twice in the 4th and come out with a win,” coach Don Morrow said.

The first quarter showcased both teams’ defenses playing extremely well. The only score of the quarter came on a Falcons field goal by kicker Chris Wood. Costa went into the second quarter trailing 3-0.

“We all knew we were going to have a great defensive game after the first quarter. We did a great job of containing their quarterback and playmakers, which allowed us to force a lot of three and outs,” junior linebacker Koda Thormodsgaard said.

The second quarter was all Crescenta Valley as the Falcon’s defense shut out the Mustangs and scored a safety. The Falcons added a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Cole Doyle to wideout Jordan Nelson giving the Crescenta Valley Falcons a 12-0 lead over the Mustangs at the half.

“The goal line stand we had right before half, got the team’s energy up, and gave us some momentum heading into the second half,” sophomore cornerback Jackson Fischer said.

Coming out of the half, neither team was able to mount a successful offensive scoring drive. Costa’s defense was able to recover a fumble to give the Mustang’s vital energy as they headed into the 4th quarter still down 12-0.

“We knew that we were wearing their defense down and were able to move the ball at the end of the half,” senior center, Robert Fiene said.

Costa’s offense came to life in the final quarter as the Mustangs executed two successful scoring drives. Senior Jonah Tavai scored on a touchdown run, closing the gap to 12-7. Junior quarterback Nick Carpino threw a game winning touchdown pass to junior Eddie Burga-Donovan, to put Costa up 13-12 with only 4 minutes left in the game. Costa’s defense held strong, as the Mustangs finished the game with an impressive 13-12 comeback win!

“The offensive line dominated late in the game and we started running all over them, and executing very well,” junior quarterback Nick Carpino said.

Costa’s post-season victory makes them 1-0 in CIF play and hungry for another win against their next opponent, the Canyon Country High School Cowboys. Next week’s game will take place on Saturday at 7:30 at a Canyon High School and is an extremely important playoff game for the Mustangs.

“We are going to need another great game on defense and have to produce on offense before the 4th quarter,” coach Don Morrow said.

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