COSTA MESA – Trevor Lawrence passed for 200 yards and two touchdowns as Northwood rolled past Costa Mesa, 34-6, in a nonleague season opener Friday night at Estancia High.
Lawrence, a junior, started when incumbent starter Brian Abel sat out because of a coach’s decision. Lawrence completed 8 of his first 9 passes to help the Timberwolves (1-0) settle into their offense.
Northwood moved the ball deep into Costa Mesa territory, but the Mustangs (0-1) managed to frustrate the T’Wolves for most of the first half.
The key drive came with two minutes left in the second quarter. Northwood took over at the Costa Mesa 40-yard line and quickly found its drive in danger. Facing fourth-and-24 from the 28, Lawrence uncorked a 25-yard pass to Michael Bellas, who broke a tackle to make it first-and-goal. Two plays later, Andy Clyde caught a Lawrence touchdown pass to give Northwood a 13-0 lead at halftime.
“We’re very fortunate to have some receivers that are 6-(foot)-2,” Northwood coach Dean Toohey said of the fourth-down play. “It’s a matchup problem for a lot of people.”
A close game turned into a rout in the third quarter as the T’Wolves scored three touchdowns to extend their lead to 34-0. Josh Liu blocked a punt to give Northwood good field position, and he was rewarded with a short-yardage carry that he took to the end zone.
Liam Akiva had a rushing score, and Lawrence found Clyde for his second score of the night.
Costa Mesa managed just 59 total yards against Northwood’s defense. Mason Mataafa broke through on a 42-yard rushing touchdown with 3:34 left to end the shutout.
Mustangs quarterback Sam Swanson did not have many chances to show off his arm, but he intercepted a pass in the end zone to end Northwood’s first drive.
