Football: Mesa hammers Northwood

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - The Costa Mesa High football team did all it could to

sway those in the CIF Southern Section playoff invitation committee

during Thursday night’s 57-7 Pacific Coast League win over Northwood at

Orange Coast College.

The Mustangs (6-4, 2-3 in league) ran away with it, literally. Mesa

scored seven touchdowns on the ground and rushed for an eye-popping 486

yards.

While the Mustangs’ track meet was taking place, Mesa’s defense held

the Timberwolves (2-8, 0-5) to 88 net yards and 23 yards rushing.

“We had to get back into playing decent football and tonight, we were

able to do that on both sides of the ball,” a drenched Costa Mesa Coach

Jerry Howell said after the Gatorade bucket was dumped upon him. “Now we

have to wait and hear what the CIF has to say as far as a playoff berth.

I think we deserve it.”

As for Nick Cabico the biggest thing he deserves is a much-needed trip

to the whirlpool.

The junior standout rushed for 245 yards and three touchdowns on only

12 carries, he caught two passes for 42 yards, he had an additional 24

yards on punt returns, he intercepted a pass on defense and for good

measure, he completed a pass to Louis Day for 29 yards.

“We tried to set up situations for him to use his skills,” Howell

said. “Obviously, he had a great night for us.”

The speedster had runs of 57, 54, 37, 32, and 24, respectively, and if

not for two Mesa penalties that wiped out over 50 additional rushing

yards, Cabico’s numbers would have been even more staggering.

“It felt good to get the ball and to help the team out,” Cabico said.

“This was a big win for us. Our defense stepped up and played well and

our offense took care of the rest.”

While Cabico was picking up huge amounts of yardage with each carry,

sophomore Keola Asuega pounded his way for 108 yards and three TDs on 17

carries.

“We had been sliding in the opposite direction with our play the last

few weeks,” Howell said. “We came in with the notion of playing

aggressive football. It was a good job all the way around.”

Mesa’s defense forced three interceptions and seven quarterback sacks,

keeping the Timberwolves’ offense on scramble mode throughout the

evening. Thirteen plays went for negative yardage for Northwood, thanks

to Mesa’s relentless attack.

Costa Mesa got on the scoreboard first when Asuega found the end zone

from 6-yards out midway through the first quarter.

Cabico streaked untouched for a 57-yard TD a minute later and

following Northwood’s lone TD, he streaked his way for a 54-yard

touchdown, giving the Mustangs control of the game.

Luis Avalos connected on a 40-yard field goal to extend Mesa’s lead to

24-7 after the first half.

Cabico and Asuega combined for three more touchdowns before Daniel

Hunter got into the scoring act, rumbling in from 9 yards out late in the

fourth quarter.

The Mustangs capped their scoring when senior Billy Jordan picked off

a Timberwolves’ pass and returned it 41 yards for a touchdown.

All the Mustangs can do now is wait for an answer from the CIF.

“They’ll make us sweat it out this weekend and we should know shortly

after that,” Howell said. “A playoff berth would be a nice bonus, but if

our season came to an end tonight, it was nice to play a high-quality

football game to close the year out.”