Noki Lam
Online Managing Editor
Last Friday, Costa football’s season concluded with a 27-24 loss to La Habra in the first round of the CIF-SS Division III playoffs. The Mustangs moved up three divisions from Division VI to Division III after completing a regular season schedule filled with tougher opponents than previous sea- sons due to the Bay League’s conference realignment.
The Mustangs failed to slow the Highlanders out of the gate as they went down 13-0. The team slowly chipped away at the deficit, and rallied in the second half to close the gap at a score of 27-24. The Highlanders received the ball with three minutes left in the game, and burned the clock to narrowly beat Costa.
“It was a great game on both offense and defense for both teams,” senior quarterback Nico De La Cruz said. “Ultimately it came down to us needing one more field goal, but it was a great game.”
De La Cruz, who has managed the Mustangs’ offense since his sophomore year, reflects on his career at Costa with pride. He says that he hopes that the culture that he helped build during his years on the team will carry onto future success.
“I am just so proud of all of the amazing wins that we have had over the years,” De La Cruz said. “Everyone was so happy to be on the team and I hope that will help our school’s goal of winning a championship.”
According to junior wide receiver and cornerback Barrett Ryan, the team’s communication and comradery will carry onto next season. The Mustangs likely will remain above their past Division VI grouping, and will come with more experience.
“I like to say that our defense is like a brotherhood,” Ryan said. “We have a very strong bond and our offense has that too.”
Senior captain and center Luke Phillips believes that the program is set up for success in future years and he has confidence that they are going to be able to compete.
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