
Costa Mesa’s Mustangs (8-1, 4-0) showed they are the Orange Coast League’s top offensive machine in a convincing 63-47 win over Laguna Beach last Friday, Nov. 4, the most prolific game in Laguna history based on yards gained and the second highest combined point total in 77 years.
Mesa’s senior Mario Smith scored seven touchdowns making him the league’s top runner this year. Mesa fatigued as the game progressed allowing Laguna to close the scoring gap, but the contest was clearly over mid-way into the third quarter.
Mesa scored on the opening possession going 80 yards in six plays for the touchdown. Breakers

appeared to counter when a Larry Stewart pass was dropped in the open field on a third down play. Mike Iannotti delivered a 44-yard punt, one of four excellent punts during the game that proved to be a vital weapon. Mesa scored on their next two possessions with two six-play drives taking a 21-0 lead. Breakers finally got on the scoreboard on their third try as Stewart connected with Travis Clawson for the first completion of the evening with a big play. Laguna was then able to stall Mesa’s next possession, forcing the Mustangs to try a 35-yard field goal that was wide.
Laguna came back to cut the lead to seven with an 11-play drive aided by two Mesa penalties. Mesa’s next score was set up off great field position due to a 37-yard kick-off return. Laguna appeared to be countering that score when Stewart’s pass was picked off mid-field and returned to the Laguna four-yard line in the final minute of the half.
In the second half, Laguna received the kickoff and their series went 75 yards to the Mesa five but on a key third down and three play, Stewart slipped losing five yards. Breakers were unsuccessful in making up the distance on their fourth down and turned the ball over.

Mesa came back going 93 yards in seven plays to make it 42-14 Mustangs and it was over. Breakers scored on their next possession but the two teams continued to trade scores until the Breakers finally succeeded on their fourth on-side kick attempt to add the final score in the final minute.
The regular season concludes on Nov. 11 with Laguna traveling to face Saddleback (0-9, -4) at Segerstrom Field. The heavily favored Breakers are averaging 46 points per game while the Roadrunners are giving up nearly that number. Costa Mesa and Estancia square off for the league title with the Eagles’ superior defense should be the deciding factor. Football pairings will be posted at www.cifss.org on Sunday, Nov. 13.
Game 9 Statistics
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
|
Costa Mesa |
21 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
63 |
Laguna Beach |
7 |
7 |
6 |
27 |
47 |
CM – 31 run (kick) 10:03 1st Q
CM – 50 run (kick) 5:17 1st Q
CM – 3 run (kick) 2:47 1st Q
L – Clawson 52 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 1:12 1st Q
L – Martinez 4 run (McInerny kick) 3:39 2nd Q
CM – 11 run (kick) 2:06 2nd Q
CM – 4 run (kick) 0:52 2nd Q
CM – 36 run (kick) 5:50 3rd Q
L – Penney 22 pass from Stewart (kick blocked) 4:04 3rd Q
CM – 21 pass (kick) 1:37 3rd Q
L – Penney 51 pass from Stewart (Mcinerny kick) 11:38 4th Q
CM – 1 run (kick) 10:41 4th Q
L – Martinez 4 run (McInerny kick) 8:27 4th Q
CM – 49 run (kick) 8:17 4th Q
L – Clemons 14 pass from Stewart (kick blocked) 1:00 4th Q
L – Reigel 12 pass from Stewart (McInerny kick) 0:23.5 4th Q
LB |
CM |
|
1st Downs |
33 |
30 |
Rush/Yds |
36-179 |
46-499 |
Pass Yds |
448 |
190 |
C-A-I |
26-44-2 |
12-15-0 |
Plays/TYG |
80-627 |
61-689 |
Fumbles/Lost |
0-0 |
3-2 |
Return Yds |
0 |
45 |
Punts/Ave |
4-43.0 |
1-44.0 |
Penalties/Yds |
7-70 |
10-115 |
Rushing: Penney 8-36, Lancaster 1-3, Stewart 5-6, Martinez 18-114, Clemons 4-20
Receiving: Clawson 3-87, Martinez 3-48, Penney 9-136, Reigel 5-96, Clemons 6-81
Passing: Stewart 25-43-2 413 yards, 5 TD’s 167.9 rating; Penney 1-1-0 35 yds
Punt: Iannotti 4-172 43.0 average
KO’s McInerney 4 KO, 2 Touchbacks, TEAM: 4 on-side kick attempts/ 1 successful
Records set:
TEAM GAME:
1st Downs 33, old record 23 5 different times
Total offense 627, Old Record 579 vs. Webb 9/9/11
Most plays – 80
Most yards passing 448, old record 349 vs. Mary Star, 10/1/2010
Most passing attempts 44 – record tied 44 vs. Laguna Hills 1992.
Most completions 26 – record tied vs. Laguna Hills 1995
Touchdown passes –game , 5 – (record tied, 3rd time)
TEAM SEASON:
Most points regular season 418, old record 313 1956, 9 games
Most points full season inc. CIF 418, old record 343, 11 games 2009
INDIVIDUAL GAME
Most yards passing 413, Larry Stewart, old record 349 by Austin Paxson vs. Mary Star 10/1/2010
Touchdown passes 5 by Larry Stewart, ties Austin Paxson vs CdM, 9/11/2009, Saddleback 12/12/2010
INDIVIDUAL SEASON
Season Points – 140, Drake Martinez, old record 136, Bill O’Brien 9 games, 1956
Records extended: Season kick scoring, PATs, Robbie McInerny (56 points, 53 PATs)
Record Extended: Season touchdowns, Drake Martinez (23)
Notes:
110 combined game points -2nd most in 77 seasons
41 combined points -4th quarter, 2nd most ever for a quarter
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