Mustangs Aim to Up Defense

Despite a huge hole left by Mira Costa's former defensive lineman J.R. Tavai, , defense is again expected to be strength for the Mira Costa High School football team this season.

The Mustangs return four starters from last season’s club, which went 7-4 overall and repeated as Bay League champs, and several other players gained significant experience by playing last season.

"We like our defense a lot," said Mustangs coach Don Morrow.

Linebacker Trey Tamura and defensive end Quinn "Tank" Goldman, All-Bay League selections last season, said that they are excited about the season though they realize the void of Tavai.

"He’s hard to replace because he’s so amazing," said Tamura, a 5-10, 175-pound senior. "But everyone’s stepping up."

Goldman agreed.

"It’s a big loss because J.R. was an important part of the team, but we’ve got a lot of players who can step up and somewhat fill his shoes," said Goldman, a 5-8, 210-pound senior who doubles as the starting fullback.

Goldman, who recorded five sacks last season, is nursing a broken bone in his right hand, but said that he will be back for the Mustangs' season opener against Loyola on Sept. 2 at L.A. Valley College.

"We’ll pull together and try to be as strong as last year," he said.

Senior lineman Quincy Brown (6-4, 250) will raise some eyebrows, according to the Mustangs. Brown spent most of his time on the offensive line last season, but his teammates have said he’ll be a force on defense.

"He’s looking pretty good," Tamura said.

Junior lineman R.J. Coleman, who had four sacks and made the all-league team, will contribute again too. And the Mustangs are excited about the intangibles linebacker Joe Buege brings. Throw in a steady secondary—Zach Primm, Ryan Weigart, Maalik McClain and Christian Rogers for starters—along with a coaching staff that prepares well and the Mustangs should contend again this year for the league title and maybe more.

The Mustangs host North Torrance in a scrimmage Friday at 7 p.m. before opening the season next week against Loyola, which has defeated Costa for the past few seasons. But the Mustangs have said this time will be difference.

"We’ve been working since last January for this game," Tamura said. "We’ve been working hard in the weight room. I think we can get them this year."

Goldman said that the Mustangs need to play solid defense—"and not turn the ball over," he said. "Our offense has to produce too. Coach Morrow has done a great job of getting us mentally prepared. We’ll be ready."