By Regan Estes
Sports Editor
The Mira Costa football team played the first Bay League game of the season on Friday, Oct. 14. The Mustangs hosted West Torrance and came out on top 30-28 after a close game. Costa’s record now stands at 2-4 overall and 1-0 in Bay League.
Senior running back Brandon Edmond had an explosive game with two touchdowns after rushing for 390 yards on 27 carries, breaking the record for the highest amount of rushing yards in the South Bay this season and the standing Mira Costa single game record.
The Warriors scored a touchdown early in the first quarter to give them an early lead. The Mustangs looked as though they would answer with a touchdown of their own, but a fumble on the West 10 yard line turned the ball over. It was not until the beginning of the second quarter that the Mustangs scored with a field goal by senior kicker Gavin Jernigan to make the score 7-3.
West quickly responded with another touchdown to put the Warriors ahead 14-3 with just over eight minutes left in the half. The Mustangs turned the ball over again, this time on the 27 yard line, but a penalty on West put the Mustangs in possession again. Costa ran the ball down the field and capped off the drive with a touchdown. West was unable to get a first down and put the Mustangs in possession with under two minutes left in the half.
The Mustangs capped off a successful drive with a carry by senior running back Alec Weaver and a field goal by Jernigan to make the score 14-13 going into the half.
The Mustangs dominated the second half with their running game. With just under eight minutes to go in the third quarter, junior quarterback Ryan Sweigart handed the ball to senior running back Joshua Querbash for a touchdown and the Mustangs took a 20-14 lead over West.
The Mustangs defense stopped West from getting a first down and Costa was in possession again. Edmond carried the ball 51 yards to the West 10 yard line and Jernigan capped off the drive with a field goal to extend the Mustangs’ lead to 23-14.
With under a minute of play left in the third quarter, West scored a touchdown to make the score 23-21. Edmond rushed for another 26 yards to bring the ball to the Warriors’ 36 yard line.
Edmond went off in the beginning of the fourth quarter with a 34 yard carry for a touchdown to put the Mustangs up 30-21. West answered with a touchdown pass with just under four minutes left of play to bring the score within two points. The Mustangs successfully held on to the ball to end the game with a final score of 30-28.
Costa will host Palos Verdes High School this Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at home in Waller Stadium for the second Bay League game of the season.
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