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(Above) Running back Casey Sitchler signals the end of the season. (Below) Mustang cheerleader Rachel Barnes’ expression reflects the mood following her team’s loss to Hart High School. Photos by Ray Vidal
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Hart breaks Mustang’s perfect season
by Quentin Haigh
In an unfitting end to the 2001 season, the Mira Costa Mustangs lost last Saturday night to the Hart Indians at El Camino College, 35-6. The loss marked their first and last of the season, eliminating the Mustangs from the CIF Southern Section Division III play-offs. Costa finished the season with a 12-1 overall record.
Costa’s defense played well in the early going, but the offense had difficulty. While the defense held Hart scoreless in the first quarter, the offense only gained only 76 total yards.
Hart scored its first touchdown of the game on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Matt Moore with 1:06 run off the clock in the second quarter, putting them up 7-0. This lead marked only the third time Costa had been down all season. Hart’s second interception of the game regained them the ball only a short while later on the Costa 44-yard line. Even after being moved back 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, they were able to convert. After an 18-yard pass and 32-yard run on the two ensuing plays, they forced it into the end zone with a one-yard run on 4th down.
With 7:28 remaining in the second quarter, Hart had a 14-0 lead, tying the biggest lead on Costa by any team this year. With a sense of urgency creeping in, Costa tried to move it up the field. Costa quarterback Peter Dobush was sacked for a loss of yards on 3rd down, however, and the Mustangs were forced to punt. Punter Devin Adair shanked the kick, sending it only 12 yards and giving the Indians top notch field position. A flea flicker pass play brought Hart 38 yards up the field to the Costa 23-yard line. A 23-yard passing touchdown gave Hart the 21-0 lead with 3:06 left in the first half.
In a very unfamiliar position, Costa marched into the second half looking for a comeback, but none was to be found. Hart tacked on another touchdown early in the third quarter when Moore ran the ball six yards into the end zone on a quarterback sneak play to make the score 28-0. Another touchdown with 10:06 on the clock in the fourth quarter gave them a 35-0 lead. Looking to have a little fun on the way out, Costa unraveled the Chaos kickoff return play, which linebacker David Enos took up to the 36-yard line. A 57-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Nick Haley for a touchdown finally put Costa on the scoreboard. After missing the two-point conversion, the score stood at its final, 35-6.
Dobush finished the game 10-for-23 for 159 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times.
"Its upsetting that we never really got a chance to celebrate the great season and all of our wins, because you’re really only as good as your last game," commented Costa running back Michael Okwo, who had a stellar season.
"Our offense made too many mistakes, and we were called for too many penalties. They are a very good team, and they played hard and well. It’s been a great season, and I’m really proud of our senior class, " said Dobush.
Many players on Costa’s young team will be back next year. Costa fans can look forward to another great Mustang season. Hart (12-0) plays Valencia in the finals. ER