Byrd’s word for Mesa

COSTA MESA — Antwon Byrd got a second chance he didn’t really need.

The Costa Mesa High senior running back had just had a 56-yard touchdown run called back because of a holding penalty. But the play worked so well that the Mustangs called it again.

“I wasn’t too upset about the penalty,” Byrd said. “I figured that if I did it once, I could do it again. We did the exact same thing. It was like a rewind.”

Sixty-six yards later, Byrd was in the end zone for the third time of the night, delivering another blow in the Mustangs’ 35-6 nonleague victory over Century on Friday at Estancia High.

The first win of the year, coming on homecoming, was dominant in many aspects for the Mustangs (1-5). And they hope it will carry forward into their Orange Coast League opener against Estancia on Oct. 17.

“I think for the first time, we actually came together and played as a team,” said senior linebacker Jeff Dye, who blocked both a Centurions field goal and extra-point attempt. “We did what we needed to do ... I think we’re going to be ready for the Eagles.”

Costa Mesa took advantage right from the opening kickoff, which the Centurions (2-3) fumbled and Mesa senior Jason Schroeder recovered.

Senior Nick Pederson eventually scored on a five-yard inside handoff, giving the Mustangs an early edge. They kept it, even after an 18-yard touchdown run by Century senior Abraham Palacios, because Dye blocked the extra-point attempt.

From then on, most of the scoring went to Byrd. He also had an 84-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, Mesa’s longest play from scrimmage of the season. Then, he caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from the slot from junior quarterback Todd Davis.

After Byrd’s 66-yard run in the third quarter, the score was 28-6 and the rout was on.

Byrd finished with 170 rushing yards on just nine carries, leaving a large student contingent to chat “Antwon! Antwon!” after his last touchdown.

He ran behind a starting line of left tackle Thomas Guzowski, left guard Camilo Enriquez, center Juan Garces, right guard Schroeder and right tackle Argenis Valencia.

“We got the ball rolling, and that’s what we were hoping for,” Byrd said. “We had a solid week of practice, and we executed tonight ... We ran a lot to the right side, but I’m just as confident with the left side. We could have ran left, right. That’s how solid we were.”

Mustangs Coach Jeremy Osso agreed.

“They did a fantastic job tonight,” Osso said. “Pass blocking, run blocking, they were unbelievable tonight. Coach [Miguel] Romo, our offensive line coach, has a saying, ‘If the linemen don’t do it, it doesn’t get done.’ It is so true, and they handled it tonight.”

Century, playing without injured starting quarterback Tony Santana, elected to run the ball nearly the whole game. When the Centurions passed, two of the five attempts were intercepted, one each from Mustangs Brian Waldron and Christian Argumedo.

Century didn’t score for the final 40-plus minutes of the game.

“It’s our third week running this [flex] defense now,” Osso said. “And so, I think they’re finally starting to figure out where they need to be and what they need to do. Now that they know how to do it, they’re doing a good job.”

COSTA MESA 35, CENTURY 6

Century 6-0-0-0---6

Costa Mesa 7-14-7-7---35

FIRST QUARTER

CM – Pederson 5 run (Solis kick), 10:11.

Cen – Palacios 18 run (kick blocked), 4:06.

SECOND QUARTER

CM – Byrd 84 run (Solis kick), 9:41.

CM – Byrd 43 pass from Davis (Solis kick), 2:57.

THIRD QUARTER

CM – Byrd 66 run (Solis kick), 0:44.

FOURTH QUARTER

CM – Waldron 16 run (Solis kick), 7:04.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Cen – Canales, 16-73; Arias, 11-43; Palacios, 4-28, 1 TD; Sanchez-Ramos, 6-19; Salgado, 8-minus-4.

CM – Byrd, 9-170, 2 TDs; Argumedo, 8-32; Pederson, 7-28, 1 TD; Waldron, 1-16, 1 TD; Quinones, 1-0; Davis, 3-minus-1.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Cen – Salgado, 1-5-2, 8.

CM – Davis, 5-9-1, 89,1 TD; Farthing, 1-1-0, 9.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Cen – Medina, 1-8.

CM – Byrd, 2-47, 1 TD; Waldron, 1-22; Gomez, 2-20; Marquez, 1-9.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or by e-mail at [email protected].