By Alyssa Zucker
Staff Writer
After coming off a tough loss against Loyola High School, the Mira Costa Varsity football team won against Newport Harbor High School on Friday, Sept. 28 at Waller Stadium.
The Mustangs were down in the first half, but came out strong in the second. Costa was down 7-3 at the first half, but ended the game with a score of 26-14..
“It was a really good fight,” Coach Don Morrow said. “We were hoping for a 3-2 record for preseason, and that’s what we got. I am very proud of the team.”
In the first quarter, senior Raphael Lawson-Gayle got a first down. Lawson-Gayle ran a total 334 yards throughout the game.
“I thank God everyday for what he has given me,” Lawson-Gayle said. “I could not be happier with the outcome of this game.”
Costa’s starting quarterback, senior Ryan Sweigart, is still unable to play due to his ankle injury, and back-up quarterback senior Khalil McClain was out with a concussion. Third string quarterback, junior Greg Briskin, stepped up as quarterback and came out with a win.
“Greg did a great job,” Morrow said. “He has been working so hard, and he comes in at lunch almost everyday to go over things. He is a very dedicated player.”
In the beginning of the second quarter, Newport got the first touchdown of the game, 7-0. A field goal by Junior Casey Sublette put the Mustangs on the board with a score of 7-3 with the Sailors still in the lead.
“I think that the outcome of the first half should have been different,” junior Brandon Mills said. “Still, we couldn’t change what happened so we had to come out hard in the second half to get the game going our way.”
Lawson-Gayle rushed for a first down that brought the ball to the third yard line. Lawson-Gayle received the handoff from Briskin for the touchdown to make the score 10-7.
“I am so proud of the heart our team showed coming into the second half,” Lawson-Gayle said. “I am so thankful for the amazing teammates I have.”
Although just missing the end zone with a diving effort, the ball was close enough to the end zone for Mills to score his first touchdown of the game to make the score 17-7.
“Scoring always feels good,” Mills said. “They had already stopped us twice within the ten yard line, so we needed to score.”
Newport scored again to make the score 17-14 with the Mustangs in the lead. Costa then scored a safety and made the score 19-14. In the fourth quarter, Costa had two momentum changing interceptions from seniors Dylan Chen and Zach Primm. Lawson-Gayle received a after the saftey kickoff and went for a 69 yard touchdown to make the final score of the game 26-14 Costa.
“It was a complete team effort,” Lawson-Gayle said. “I would not have gotten that far if there weren’t great blocks by my teammates.”
The Mustangs play again on Friday Oct. 5 at West Torrance for the first Bay League game of the season.
“I am very excited for Bay League to begin,” Morrow said. “West will be a good challenge that we are ready for.”
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