PHOTOS: Costa Mesa powers past Rancho Alamitos in CIF Division 12 playoffs

Costa Mesa senior running back Gavin Garza (5) evades the tackle of Rancho Alamitos Andrew Gonzalez (7) on his way to the end zone to give the Mustangs a two-score lead late in the third quarter. (PHOTOS: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Costa Mesa running back Gavin Garza rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown and Jack Shafiyoon caught three touchdown passes to lead the Mustangs to a 28-10 victory over Rancho Alamitos in a CIF Division 12 first round playoff game Friday night at Bolsa Grande.

The Mustangs (6-5) advance to the quarterfinals to play Arroyo Valley, who defeated Peninsula 30-15 Friday, next Friday at Costa Mesa.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Costa Mesa and Rancho Alamitos, both members of the Sigma League, played three weeks ago on a windy Thursday evening. Trailing 13-0 at halftime, Rancho Alamitos scored two second-half touchdowns and came away with a narrow 14-13 victory. However, this time Costa Mesa was determined not to make the same mistake. 

“Play four quarters, play four quarters, play four quarters is all we heard this week from the coaches” said Garza, referring to the Mustangs second half collapse in their first meeting with the Vaqueros. “We got down a bit in the third quarter after they scored on their first possession and then we committed a turnover but then our defense picked us up and gave us energy.”

Trailing 14-3 at halftime, Rancho Alamitos marched 48 yards in six plays on their first possession of the third quarter and scored.

Quarterback Osvalso Ramos capped the drive with a 1-yard TD run, cutting the lead to 14-10. The Vaqueros (9-2) then recovered a fumble on the Mustangs first play of the ensuing drive and the tide of the game seemed to be changing. 

However, Costa Mesa’s defense, led by Louis Arreola, Vance Kirby, and Xavier Bennett, stopped Rancho Alamitos cold on the their next two possessions and then intercepted two passes to close out the third quarter. 

“They (Rancho Alamitos) got into our heads a little bit in the third quarter but our defense held them and gave us a spark,” said Mustangs Coach Gary Gonzalez. 

In the meantime, the Mustangs’ offense got into rhythm. One play following a Costa Mesa interception, Garza blasted down the sideline 39 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Mustangs lead to 21-10 with 2:18 left in the third quarter.

Moments later, following a Vaqueros punt, quarterback Matthew Barrientes threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Shafiyoon to give Costa Mesa a commanding 28-10 lead with one minute left in the quarter. 

Rancho Alamitos was unable to revive its offensive momentum and Garza and the Mustangs pounded out the ground game in the fourth quarter and closed out the victory.

“We had opportunities in the third quarter after we scored a touchdown and got a turnover but we didn’t capitalize,” said Rancho Alamitos Coach Mike Enright. “We couldn’t run the ball or complete deep passes. They played better than us and deserved to win.”

Shafiyoon had a career-high three touchdown receptions. 

“I really don’t know what to say,” said Shafiyoon, who had TD catches of 21, 29 and 29 yards. “We had a good game plan and we executed it.”

“Jack is a tough football player and he plays with passion,” Gonzalez added. 

Quintos threw two touchdown passes to Shafiyoon and Matthew Barrientes threw another. 

“We did it as a team; I can’t do anything without my teammates,” said Quintos. “It’s out of this world that we’re going to the second round of the playoffs. Two years ago, as a sophomore, we went to the second round in my first varsity season, but now to be going as the quarterback is really special.”

The game got off to a wild start with each team committing a turnover on their first possession.  

Four plays after a Rancho Alamitos’ turnover, Quintos tossed a 21-yard TD pass to Shafiyoon, giving the Mustangs a 7-0 lead at the 9:17 mark of the opening quarter.

The Vaqueros misfortune continued as they turned the ball over a second time on a fumble at their own 29 yard line. The Mustangs capitalized immediately. On the first play, Quintos completed a 29-yard TD pass to Shafiyoon, upping the Costa Mesa lead to 14-0 with 7:37 remaining in the first quarter. 

Rancho Alamitos committed turnovers on its first two possessions of the game, followed by five consecutive punts. The Vaqueros did get a 31-yard field goal by Jacob Molina late in the second quarter and trailed 14-3 at the break.

Vaqueros wide receiver Joe Vazquez led Rancho Alamitos with nine receptions for 93 yards. Both teams each committed four turnovers.