Defense Gets Costa Mesa 16-13 Victory, Playoff Spot

Costa Mesa High School had four interceptions and a safety as the Mustangs defeated Trabuco Hills, 16-13, in a Pacific Coast League game Thursday at Mission Viejo High School.

Costa Mesa (6-4, 4-1 in league) clinched a berth in the Southern Section Division VII playoffs with a second-place finish.

The loss left Trabuco Hills (4-5-1, 3-2) as one of six third-place teams in the division vying for four remaining playoff spots.

Costa Mesa’s defense scored the deciding points when it tackled Trabuco Hills running back Ben Rooker for a safety to make the score 16-7 with 7 minutes 42 seconds left in the third quarter.

Trabuco Hills cut the deficit to three when Jeff Clayton ran 19 yards for the touchdown. Trabuco Hills’ two-point conversion pass failed, making the score 16-13 with 4:24 left to play.

Costa Mesa sealed the victory when Ryan McEvoy intercepted Shane Weintraut’s pass with 1:04 remining in the game.

Trabuco Hills took a 7-0 lead when Julian Ford caught a 19-yard pass from Pat Barnes.

Costa Mesa came back to tie it, 7-7, when Jermaine Jackson scored on a five-yard run. Jackson finished with 115 yards in 16 carries.

Costa Mesa took the lead, 14-7, when McEvoy ran one yard for touchdown in the second quarter.