High School Football Preview: Costa Mesa heads in new direction

As Costa Mesa High ushers in a new era of football this fall, one word unceasingly creeps to the surface.

Culture.

It has not been a pretty scene for Costa Mesa as of late, with any semblance of a winning program a far cry from reality.

The Mustangs went 9-21 over the course of the past three seasons under former coach Glen Fisher, who stepped down in January. Costa Mesa went 2-13 in the Orange Coast League during this stretch, finishing in last place twice. The team went 3-7 overall in 2017, and failed to win a single league game.

As the Mustangs open the season Friday at San Gabriel Gabrielino at 7 p.m., the new man at the helm of the program, David Gutierrez, has big plans for the future. He’s wasted no time implementing a new direction.

Gutierrez served as Santa Ana’s defensive coordinator for the past four years, helping lead the Saints to undefeated Golden West League title runs in 2016 and ‘17. They also finished 13-1 and reached the CIF Southern Section Division 13 final in 2016, quite the accomplishment considering the team went 0-10 in 2013.

The greatest immediate obstacle Gutierrez will face at Costa Mesa is building the program in numbers, something he faced when he arrived at Santa Ana with roughly a dozen players at his disposal.

The Mustangs, who fielded just two teams last fall, have 41 players on their current roster.

In order to spark this growth, Gutierrez extended an open invitation to all Costa Mesa students to build something special from the ground up.

“We want students to know that experience or not, we’re going to provide a service every day to get them better,” Gutierrez said. “Coaching them up every single day, and if they’re not there yet, eventually they will get there. We’ll take a freshman with zero experience. We’ll take a sophomore with zero experience. We have the time to build up that culture and build up that attitude for them to be successful.

“That’s something we did out at Santa Ana. Most of those kids had zero experience, but they came out and had a good time. They felt the coaches were coaching them up and just providing care and effort toward their success. Kids absorb that, and they gravitate to that. They love that. As long as they know you care, they’re willing to go [through] a wall for you.”

Costa Mesa High coach David Gutierrez works with quarterback Blake Juncker during practice on Aug. 14. Juncker returned to the program for his senior year after not playing last season.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

The trenches are expected to be a strength for the Mustangs in 2018, with seniors Carlos Aguilar and Aruna Bijanjan set to receive action on both sides of the line. Aguilar will start at center and rotate in at nose tackle, while Bijanjan will start at guard and also see time at defensive end.

Outside of these two, competition for starting spots on the offensive line remain open. While this may brew a sense of uncertainty from the outside, Bijanjan views the ongoing position battles as a positive for the team.

“It just shows that everyone wants to play,” Bijanjan said. “Every practice is a competition. You want to work to have that starting spot.”

Two-way players like Bijanjan and Aguilar are a common theme for the Mustangs, given their roster numbers. Senior Raul Mojica will start at safety and is expected to see significant action at running back. Junior Cory Richards is another name to watch, and will see playing time at both wide receiver and safety.

As for the quarterback position, a familiar face is returning under center.

Blake Juncker, who left the program after his sophomore season, has been inspired to return under the new regime. The senior’s versatility will allow Costa Mesa to run the option, while also remaining a threat in the passing game, but it is his toughness that has teammates perhaps the most excited.

“He’s not afraid to get hit,” Aguilar said. “He would put the game on his shoulders and not be afraid to do anything for the team. I feel he has that winning mentality that we need.”

Trevor Martin, an assistant with Gutierrez at Fountain Valley years back, will run the defense and shift the Mustangs to a three-man front with multiple looks. Gutierrez worked primarily with the offense during his five years with the Barons before heading to Santa Ana, and will handle offense coordinating duties.

Carlos Aguilar will play on both sides of the line as a senior for the Costa Mesa High football team in 2018.

(Scott Smeltzer / Staff Photographer)

Costa Mesa Mustangs

CIF Southern Section Division: 13

Coach: David Gutierrez (first year)

Staff: Trevor Martin (defensive coordinator/linebackers), Vincent Smith (offensive line), Kekaimana Kaho’ohanohano (quarterbacks/linebackers), DeAngelo Nedd (running backs/safeties), Tyman Uiagalelei (defensive line), Jarid Allchin (wide receivers/cornerbacks), Mike Flores (assistant), David McNeil (trainer)

2017 season: 3-7 overall, 0-5 in the Orange Coast League (last place), missed the CIF Southern Section Division 13 playoffs

Offensive scheme: Spread

Defensive scheme: 3-4

Returning offensive starters: Two

Returning defensive starters: One

Returning with honors: None

SCHEDULE

August

17 — at San Gabriel Gabrielino

24 — vs. Santiago

30 — vs. Loara at Glover Stadium

September

7 — vs. La Quinta

14 — vs. Los Amigos

21 — Bye

28 — vs. Santa Ana*

October

5 — vs. Orange* at El Modena High

11 — vs. Calvary Chapel* at Segerstrom High

19 — vs. Saddleback*

26 — at Estancia*

*denotes league game

All games 7 p.m.

JOSH CRISWELL is a contributor to Times Community News. Follow him on Twitter: @joshccriswell