Senior Bryan Hernandez is Costa Mesa’s top returning running back. (Photo courtesy Harrison Zhang, For OC Sports Zone)
Costa Mesa High players have been working hard to get ready for the season under new Coach Jimmy Nolan, the former coach at Fountain Valley.
They are eager to get into the win column.
Costa Mesa was 0-10 overall last year and suffered through some lopisded Orange Coast League games and was on the short end of four shutouts in league play.
Nolan said he hopes the hard work in the off-season results in improvement for a program which has struggled for victories, winning just four games in three years.
“We hope to win a game,” said Nolan, who has the reputation of building up struggling programs. “The majority of our boys play both ways … we’ll need to stay healthy to reach our goal.”
Costa Mesa opens the season Friday, Aug. 30 against Santiago at Garden Grove High.
Tentative offensive starters
Cory Richards, WR-LB, senior, missed last year with an injury; Andrew Camargo OL/DL, senior; Angel Medoza, OL/DL, senior; Alex Bravo, OL/DL, junior; Mark Blanco OL/DL, senior; Evin Douglas. OL/DL, senior; Nick Burton, QB, junior, did not play football last year but played at Marina two years ago as a defensive end on the freshman team; Bryan Hernandez, RB/DB, senior one of three Mustangs who scored touchdowns last year; Bengie Mendez: WR/LB, senior, eight catches for 50 yards; Alex Jennis, WR/DB, junior; Joe Paxson WR/LB, junior, played quarterback last year.
Tentative defensive starters
Ryan Bourbeau, LB/WR, junior, 40 tackles last year; Vince Faiga, DL/OL senior; Emanuel Ortega, LB/RB, senior; Chris Fletcher, DB/WR, junior; Evin Douglas, DL, senior; Kobe Vasquez, LB/RB, senior; Javier Salgado, LB/DL, senior; Christian Anderson, DL/OL, senior; Leo Cristobal, DB/WR, senior; Jackson Galitski, DB, senior.
Special teams
Dylan Oliver will handle kick-offs, punts and field goals and PATs.
A closer look at the Mustang standouts:
—-“Andrew Camargo: he’s our center,” Nolan said. “That makes him MVP. It all starts with him.
—“Angel Medoza: We’ll be as good as our O-line,” Nolan said. “These guys are selfless and lead the team. Angel had a good off-season.
“Alex Bravo: another hard working offensive lineman,” Nolan said. “It all starts here.”
“Evin Douglas: if Evin can play like he’s capable of, we’ll be able to run the football,” Nolan said.
“Bryan Hernandez: one of our only returning starters, Bryan has worked hard in the off-season,” Nolan said.
“Vince Faiga: solid center of our D, but he will be out of town until game two…maybe three,” Nolan said.
RELATED: Jimmy Nolan begins rebuilding process
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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