COSTA MESA – The quarterback is one of the most important positions on a football team. That was evident on Friday night at Estancia High.
Godinez quarterback Bryan Ibarra rushed for 143 yards while Costa Mesa lost its starting quarterback to an injury and played two more as Godinez got its second Orange Coast League win, 27-6.
“When Bryan Ibarra gets on a roll, it’s tough to stop him,” Godinez coach Michael Echaves said. “He did a great job and our offense came together.”
Costa Mesa (5-3, 1-2) took its opening drive 74 yards, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ben Swanson to Cameron Curet. However, Swanson threw that pass with a broken collarbone after taking a late hit two plays earlier, drawing a roughing-the-passer penalty.
Godinez (4-4, 2-1) responded late in the first quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jesse Banuelos.
Christian Villaverde came in at quarterback for Costa Mesa and was hounded by an aggressive Godinez defensive front seven.
With 31 seconds left in the first half, Godinez forced a fumble in the end zone that was recovered by Ulises Pompa for a touchdown and a 12-6 lead.
On the third play of the second half, Ibarra made his presence known with a 75-yard touchdown run. Izak Verduzco mishandled the point-after snap, but recovered and ran the ball in for two points and a 20-6 lead.
Curet took all the second-half snaps for Costa Mesa but was similarly harassed by the Grizzlies defense.
After Swanson’s touchdown pass, Godinez’s pass defense held Costa Mesa to 3 for 14 passing for 44 yards and an interception by Ivan Gonzalez.
With 6:17 left in the game, Costa Mesa’s Josh Snipes sustained a neck injury as the Mustangs made a goal line stand.
