By Alyssa Zucker
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa varsity football team will continue on the path to a CIF championship after a 35-21 win against Highland High School on Nov. 9 at Waller Stadium.
Costa’s CIF record is 1-0. Both teams stayed neck and neck the whole game, no team fell too far behind the other.
“There were a lot of good things in this last game,” coach Don Morrow said. “Once we clean up the turnovers, fumbles, and kick returns that went for the other team’s touchdowns, we will be even better. The goal was to advance, and we did just that.”
Despite the many touchdown attempts, there was no scoring from either team in the first quarter. Mira Costa had many first downs, but was unable to score. The quarter ended with a score of 0-0.
“It always feels good to win,” junior running back Brandon Mills said. “Our goal now is to win both halves of the game and just keep advancing to the championships.”
Senior running back Raphael Lawson-Gayle scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to make the score 14-0 Mustangs. His touchdowns were answered by a Highland touchdown, ending the half at 14-7 Mustangs.
“This win shows our coaches that we are doing the best we can,” Lawson-Gayle said. “Knowing that I helped out the team with my touchdowns is the best feeling. It’s a team effort in the end, and that is what counts.”
Lawson-Gayle scored again to make the score 21-7 to start the third quarter. Highland soon followed with a touchdown of their own to make the score 21-14, Mustangs. Senior quarterback Khalil McClain scored a touchdown of his own to end the third quarter at 28-14, Mustangs.
“I’ve started as quarterback for a few games now, so I know what comes with the job,” McClain said. “The win feels even better knowing I came out and did my job.”
A Mustang fumble led to a Bulldog touchdown in the fourth quarter to make the score 28-21, with the Mustangs still in the lead. McClain scored the final touchdown of the game to make the final score 35-21, Mustangs.
“We played well as a team overall,” senior captain quarterback Ryan Sweigart said. “We just need to clean up the little mistakes and focus on getting that ring.”
The team rushed for 470 yards as a whole. With chance of each game being the last, the pressure is on.
“Knowing each game might be my last, is a very scary thought,” McClain said. “But it is exactly what we need. I feel like there is no better incentive than knowing it can end so easily. I get nervous at that very thought on and off the field.
The Mustangs will play again on Friday Nov 16 at West Torrence High School. Although the Mustangs beat the Warriors in Bay League, both teams are fighting to stay alive in CIF.
“The players are getting better every time they step on the field,” Morrow said. “Both schools know each other really well, so it will be a close game. We have to trust what we have and execute it on Friday.”
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