Mustangs look for discipline

Antwon Byrd stood out last week, rushing for 184 yards and a touchdown in the Costa Mesa High football team’s 62-7 loss to Savanna High.

But, as the Mustangs prepare to face Rancho Alamitos tonight at 7 at Newport Harbor High, Mustangs Coach Jeremy Osso would like more players to strive to be at that level.

“I think Antwon’s only going to get better,” Osso said of the Mustangs junior, who also plays linebacker. “But we have to become more versatile by using everybody else, or else they’ll just stack the box. Other people have to step up.”

One player who will try to step up this week is Brian Waldron. Osso said he plans to start the 5-foot-8 sophomore at quarterback tonight, trying to jump start a Costa Mesa passing attack which had just one completion for minus-one yard against Savanna.

Waldron is the younger brother of Cody Waldron, who was Costa Mesa’s starting quarterback last season before graduating. Brian Waldron is also the Mustangs’ starting strong safety.

The Mustangs, who lost to Rancho Alamitos, 44-12, last season, do have an advantage in that they have a game under their belt. Tonight’s game is the season opener for Rancho Alamitos.

Osso said the Vaqueros do return several starters on both offense and defense from a team that went 6-5 and won the Garden Grove League championship.

Vaqueros quarterback Robby Willis passed for two touchdowns against Mesa last year, while Rancho Alamitos had five players rush for at least 49 yards. Willis has graduated, and the Vaqueros are projected to start junior Jesus Segovia under center.

But, for Osso, it is about what his team has to do right. He said the Mustangs had a good week of practice this week and focused on staying disciplined and making tackles, two problem areas last week against Savanna.

“We tried to iron some things out,” he said. “Let’s get back to basics.”

Osso said he expects Mustangs junior Hector Solis to handle kicking and punting duties tonight, and senior Jorge Sandoval will likely start at defensive end this week in addition to his spot on the offensive line.