ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / PREP EXTRA : Defense Comes Up Big in Costa Mesa Victory

NEWPORT BEACH —  Costa Mesa’s Ron Lievanos returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown to help the Mustangs defeat Laguna Beach, 15-3, in a Pacific Coast League opener Friday night at Newport Harbor High.

After a 29-yard field goal by Laguna Beach’s Brad Bohn early in the first quarter, the Costa Mesa defense held the Artists (2-4, 0-1)scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Lievanos intercepted a pass by James Kimball and returned it for the touchdown, giving Costa Mesa a 7-3 lead with 11 minutes and 12 seconds left in the first half.

Ryan Taylor stretched Costa Mesa’s 13-3, on a 50-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Taylor finished the night with 16 carries for 165 yards for Costa Mesa (4-2, 1-0).

On Laguna Beach’s following possession, Costa Mesa’s defense struck again as Jaime Cervantes blocked a punt into the end zone for a safety with 9:32 left in the third quarter.