Costa Mesa Wins, Finishes Alone in First for First Time

Binh Tran rushed for 204 yards in 32 carries as visiting Costa Mesa won its first outright league football title in school history with a 35-7 victory over Estancia Friday night at Orange Coast College.

The Mustangs (6-2-2, 4-0-1) won their first Pacific Coast League football championship and gained a share of a league title for the first time since 1978.

“I told our kids that their whole future in life depended on this game,” Costa Mesa Coach Myron Miller said with a laugh.

Tran capped a 15-play, 73-yard drive with a three-yard scoring run on the Mustangs’ first possession.

He also scored from three and 52 yards in the second half to give Costa Mesa a lift going into the Division VIII playoffs; the Mustangs will play host to a first-round game at Newport Harbor High next weekend.

“This gives us a little momentum,” Miller said.

Dewayne Crenshaw, who finished with 53 yards rushing, scored the Mustangs’ second touchdown, diving two yards in the second quarter.

Costa Mesa held a 14-0 edge at halftime, bolstered by a defensive effort that held Estancia to 32 yards in two quarters.

Tran’s two scores stretched the Mustangs lead to 28-0 with five minutes 49 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Joey Archeletta scored on a two-yard run up the middle to expand the lead to 35-0 with 5:07 left in the game.