Costa Thwarted by Moorpark in First Round of CIF

The Mira Costa High Mustangs were able to stampede through the Bay League, going undefeated for a third consecutive year. But it was the fifth-place Moorpark Musketeers from the ultra-tough Marmonte League that came out on top Friday in the first round of the CIF Northern Division playoffs, winning 27-17.

"We just couldn't get the big plays we needed on either side of the ball,'' Costa senior J.R. Tavai said. ''We did what we could, but it just wasn't enough. They were the better team tonight.''

The Mustangs came out on the opening drive with quarterback Dennis Falcone hooking up with Sam Stekol for a 41-yard pass and tailback Deon Morris capping a 12-play 80-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.

But the Musketeers answered quickly when quarterback Grant Rohach found Alex Tolliver down the right sideline for a 57-yard touchdown to tie the score at 7.

After a Mustangs' three-and-out, the Musketeers went back on the attack, Rohach completing three passes for first downs and adding another on the ground. The junior quarterback caused problems all night for a Mira Costa defense that was came into the game with consecutive shutouts, continually making plays with his feet and his arm.

Rohach hit Jonathan Wolverton with a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Musketeers a 14-7 lead in the second quarter.

"When you play an offense like that, the hardest thing to simulate in practice is the execution,'' Coach Don Morrow said. ''We weren't able to show our defense anything close to the way they executed.''

The Musketeers combined a balanced attack, finding openings in the Mustangs' coverage schemes and uncommon success in the run game.

"We came out knowing they were a good team and out of a good conference. They definitely showed that they could not only throw, but run on us," Tavai said.

Moorpark added another touchdown, taking a 21-7 lead and scoring more touchdowns in the first half than the Mustangs had allowed in their five Bay League games. Rohach was flushed from the pocket by Tavai and scampered 13 yards down the sideline to the Costa 1-yard line.  On the next play, the Moorpark quarterback burrowed his way into the end zone.

"We just weren't able to stop them,'' Morrow said. ''They had us back on our heels and all year we have struggled against teams that spread you out. We hung in there though and definitely had our chances to turn it around.''

With less than two minutes remaining in the half, the Mustangs' defense forced a punt and Brandon Edmond returned it 48 yards to the Musketeers' 20, leading to a 38-yard field goal by Brendan Sofen, putting the game at 21-10.

After a Moorpark field goal to open the second half, the Mustangs had some success on the ground with Morris, Tavai and Tajes Mobley finding holes and chewing up yardage.

Morris gained 115 yards in 20 carries, but it was Mobley who scored a 1-yard touchdown to get the Mustangs within seven points.

"At 24-17 everyone on the sideline thought we would be able to come back. Our guys battled hard and I have the utmost respect for Moorpark. They are a great team," Morrow said.

The Mustangs' defense was solid in the second half, allowing only two field goals, the second coming after a Falcone interception gave the Musketeers the ball in Mira Costa territory.

But down 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs were forced to throw the ball and struggled. They completed just four passes for 81 yards. "Being down early kind of got us out of our comfort zone and we were forced to throw more," Morris said.