On September 22, 2017, the Mira Costa Mustangs won their first home game of the season, defeating the West High Warriors Football team by the score of 35-6.  

  In first quarter, Warriors’ lineman, Sean Hegardt (12), tipped the ball to the Warriors’ running back Gus Eckert (12), who intercepted the ball, leading to a rushing touchdown.  The Warriors missed the extra point and the Mustangs came back with their own rushing touchdown.  At the end of the quarter, the Mustangs led 7-6.  

 In the opening minutes of the second quarter, both teams were unable to score.  However, after Mira Costa intercepted a pass by West, the Mustangs scored again on a 19-yard touchdown.  The Warriors failed to score after this touchdown, and with a minute left in the quarter, the Mustangs took a 21-6 lead.

  At the beginning of the third quarter, the Mustangs successfully completed an onside kick, which led to a rushing touchdown.  The Warriors punted to the Mustangs in their drive following the touchdown and Mira Costa ran the ball to the end zone, taking a 35-6 lead.  The Warriors did not convert on their next drive and the punt was blocked by Mira Costa.  The Warriors’ defense stopped Mira Costa from scoring, ending the third quarter.

  Left offensive tackle Noah Sullivan (12) commented on Mira Costa’s defensive pressure that made it difficult for the Warriors to score.

  “Costa’s defensive scheme required receivers to get open and that sometimes took a longer time than anticipated, so the usual time required to protect the quarterback wasn’t enough.”

  In the fourth quarter, good defense from both teams stopped any opportunities of scoring.  Now both the Mustangs and the Warriors have records of 1-3 for the season.

  Wide receiver Max Parish (12) attributed this loss to missed opportunities in Mustangs’ territory.  

  “Huge mistakes just before and just after halftime deflated us but we were driving down the field well.  We just couldn’t seem to convert in the redzone.”

  Eckert believes that West has room for improvement after playing Mira Costa.

  “I hope that our team will take special teams more seriously because we lost a lot of unnecessary points … and I also hope our team learns how to play our defense a little better.”

  The Warriors will face off against the Carson Colts on Thursday, September 28 at 7pm at West High.  Support the Warriors as they hope to bounce back from this loss.