For Mustangs, Singular Focus Is Required

Following a 25-0 victory over Redondo Union last week, Mira Costa High's senior captain J.R. Tavai was asked how it felt to shutout their archrivals. Tavai turned to look at the scoreboard, which already was turned off.

"Oh, we did? I was busy out there," he said, happily.

Whether the reigning Bay League defensive player of the year was unaware of his team's feat or just being modest is anyone's guess. 

But the Mustangs (7-3) will need to maintain that singular focus Friday in the first-round of the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoffs against visiting Moorpark.

After winning a third-consecutive Bay league championship, Mira Costa was matched up against the Musketeers, the fifth-place team from the Marmonte League.

But that is no ordinary league and Moorpark is no ordinary fifth-place team.

The top three seeds in the Northern Division are all from the Marmonte League – No. 1 Oaks Christian, No. 2 St. Bonaventure and No. 3 Westlake, which is the defending division champion. And the Musketeers played the top two tough, losing by only seven to Oaks Christian (21-14), by three to St. Bonavenure (28-25).

Don Morrow, in his 17th season as the Mustangs' coach, has faced a great number of opponents from around Southern California, but the matchup against Moorpark (5-5) will be the first during his tenure.

"I really like their team, their coaching staff clearly does a great job coaching them, there is no quit and they fight to the end," he said. 

"Their record is misleading. They play in a heck of a league," he added. "They led at St. Bonaventure with a couple minutes to go and lost a close one to Oaks Christian.''

Moorpark is led by quarterback Grant Rohach, who possesses the ability to gain yards both through the air as well as on the ground. The Musketeers also run a 3-4 defense, which could cause some problems for the Mustangs. 

"They have a defensive look we haven't seen all year. There is lots of movement and guys coming from all directions. It's going to be a great test," Morrow said.

Mira Costa, which has benefitted from excellent work on special teams, will have its hands full with Moorpark's dynamic return man, Jayce Foster.

"Brendan [Sofen] has had a very high percentage of touchbacks, and our coverage units have really found an identity. They play with lots of pride and came up with another big play last week," Morrow said.

Sofen, a senior has been a weapon in the kicking game, connecting on 15 of 20 field goal tries this season as well as averaging 38 yards-per-punt.

The Mustangs, who have relied on a run-heavy game plan during their romp through the Bay League, have found a go-to tailback in senior Deon Morris, who leads the offense with 715 yards rushing and eight touchdowns.

The Mustangs' defense, which has posted back-to-back shutouts in victories over Lawndale Leuzinger and Redondo Union, has not allowed more than a touchdown in any game during its six-game winning streak.