SANTA ANA – Costa Mesa coach Wally Grant, missing several two-way players because of injuries, had his concerns entering Thursday’s game against Godinez.
But any apprehensions of being further bit by the injury bug were quickly remedied when the Mustangs’ defense took control.
Costa Mesa forced eight turnovers, including four interceptions, en route to a 24-0 victory over Godinez in an Orange Coast League matchup at Segerstrom High.
Michael Diaz returned a fourth-quarter interception 74 yards for a touchdown and Cameron Curet connected on a 20-yard field goal with 4:06 remaining to secure the victory for Costa Mesa (2-6, 2-1).
“I have yet to play with the same front seven all year,” said Grant, who was also without starting quarterback Sam Swanson (ACL tear). “I’ve had one to two or three guys, like tonight, that are out. The injuries have made this year extremely challenging.”
Timely offense always helps.
Curet, who intercepted two passes on defense, hauled in a 34-yard touchdown early in the second quarter from sophomore Eric Carrasco to pad the Mustangs’ 14-0 halftime lead. Curet had five catches for 105 yards, and Carrasco completed 9 of 14 passes for 124 yards.
Costa Mesa, the defending Orange Coast League champions, took its opening possession 65 yards on 12 plays, scoring on Darmonta Davis’ short burst up the middle from 4 yards out.
Godinez (0-8, 0-3) had its chances. On the Grizzlies’ first series, they marched into the red zone, but were stopped when Curet intercepted a pass and returned it 59 yards to the Godinez 34.
Godinez turned the ball over twice on downs in the fourth quarter, including in its final drive of the game.
