Friday, February 26, 2010
By Rachel Bracker
Editor-in-Chief
Costa football won its third CIF championship after defeating the Palmdale Falcons at Waller Stadium on Dec. 11.
The championship, the first Costa has earned since the 90s, comes after making it to the CIF finals last year but losing to Quartz Hill in bad weather.
“The team has come so far the past years, and ending it like this was, more than anything, the best we could have asked for. Our goal this year was to make it back to the championship game and win it, and we accomplished that goal,” said senior place-kicker Alex Norocea.
After winning the match, Costa fans stormed the field to celebrate with the jubilant team, as glitter cannons shot gold sparkles onto the new champs and the marching band played costa’s fight song.
“The band was really excited because we had never seen anything like this, and we had seen every game this year,” said marching band Drum Major senior Amie Simmons.
“We might have been more excited than some of the fans themselves.”
The Associated Student Body was also excited for the big win, as school spirit is one of their primary concerns.
“Any type of win is a moral booster, especially a CIF win. I believe our football win has significantly increased school spirit,” ASB President senior Isabella Mongiello said. “It works both ways: I have no doubt that seeing such a huge turnout in the Stampede section, even though it was so cold, made them want it a little more.”
One of the most exciting points of the game was Norocea’s field goal, which broke Costa’s 21-21 tie in the fourth quarter.
“At the time I knew that it was my time to step up, and I had to make the kick. I couldn’t let my team down,” Norocea said. “When I saw it sail through, I was ecstatic.”
The final score, 51-27, brought the Mustangs CIF victory.
“The end of the season has been bittersweet. It’s the best way you ever hope to go out, but at the same time, I’ll never play with this team ever again,” said senior wideout Jackson Morrow.
Juniors on the team are excited about the big win, but have aspirations for next year.
“Winning CIF was a big goal for us this year, although we wanted to go to state. I think this win is basically going to set up the expectation that we make CIF next year, and hopefully get to state,” said junior defensive back Deon Morris.
This year’s team trained from 3 to 6 p.m. after school each day and spent weekends looking at old game tapes and strategizing.
“I can’t say how good of a team we were. We are one of the three teams to win a championship, but there have been other great teams before us,” senior offensive lineman and captain Andrew Brenner said.
Some players say that despite this year’s win, next year’s team will be largely inexperienced and must continue practicing if they want a chance at reaching CIF.
“We have a lot of work to do in the off-season, but if we play to our potential, we will set an early statement to everyone in the area that we are no push-over team,” said junior running back Tajee Mobley.
Among most players, hopes are high for next year’s team and its record.
“Only three of our starters are returning next year, but I think with all the workouts and training they have us do, we have a good chance of going to state,” said Morris.
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