Mira Costa Enjoys Benefits of ‘Air Tonga’ Frequent Flyer Program : Prep football: In the short run, Mustangs give the ball to Fonua, whose goal-line dives have helped him score 19 touchdowns.

If the Mira Costa High offense faces a critical short-yardage situation in Friday night’s Southern Section Division VII championship game, the identity of the ballcarrier probably won’t be much of a mystery.

Most likely getting the call will be Phil Fonua, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound junior whose goal-line dives have earned him the nickname “Air Tonga.” Fonua, whose family is from the South Pacific island of Tonga, has used his leaping ability--he can dunk a basketball--on several occasions this season to clear his linemen and land in the end zone.

Fonua, who has scored 19 touchdowns, will lead Mira Costa (12-1) against Rancho Alamitos (9-3-1) in the title game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at El Camino College.

Although Fonua usually lands in the end zone, that’s not always the case.

Mira Costa guard Miguel Prieto tries to keep his feet moving and hopes the airborne Fonua doesn’t fall on him.

“When we run the wedge, I know Phil’s going to run right over my rear,” Prieto said. “Sometimes Phil will land on me. I don’t even know if we’ve scored.” Fonua has rushed for 403 yards and 15 touchdowns, and has caught 16 passes for 403 yards and four TDs. He played fullback for most of the season, but moved to wingback in last week’s 23-19 semifinal victory over La Palma Kennedy. In the revamped backfield, Ron Hand moved from tailback to fullback, with junior Mike Fikes, a transfer who was academically ineligible until two weeks ago, playing tailback.

Fikes, hitting the holes quickly, rushed for 133 yards in 27 carries. Fonua, used mainly as a blocker, rushed for two short touchdowns.

Fonua didn’t mind changing positions.

“It mixed up (Kennedy’s) defense,” Fonua said. “It really doesn’t matter who gets the ball if we win.”

Mira Costa has been winning with defense. Fonua’s job at nose guard is to clog up the middle to free linemates Prieto and Tate McCallister to make the tackle. Fonua’s domination of the middle also opens up the outside lanes for blitzing Mustang linebackers.

“You watch Phil, with his quickness and his strength, it’s incredible,” defensive line coach Ray Lee said. “He takes control of the gaps and makes it easier on our other linemen because he is double-teamed. You can’t coach what he does.”

Offensive line coach Chuck Arrasmith worked with Fonua last year during a season in which the Mustangs finished 3-6-1. Arrasmith knows a lot was expected from Fonua this season, but points out that Fonua is only 16.

“Because he is so big, both the kids and the fans look to him to make the big plays,” Arrasmith said. “That’s a tremendous amount of pressure. On the other hand, this isn’t (just) the Phil Fonua show, either.”

Coach Don Morrow has the pleasant task of deciding which running back to feature against Rancho Alamitos. He can give the ball to Hand, who has rushed for 1,054 yards and eight TDs. Or Fikes, whose speed and quickness adds a new dimension to the offense. Or to junior tailback Dennis Hughes, who has rushed for 509 yards and five TDs. Or to “Air Tonga.”

“We’ll probably give the ball to the guy with the hot hand,” Morrow said. Hand, the featured back for most of the season, didn’t mind moving to fullback, although it has been a while since he was asked to block.

“It didn’t affect me at all,” Hand said. “If it helps the team to win, that’s what I’ll do. I played guard for two years in Pop Warner.”

Coaches say Fonua has become a dominating player this season as his intensity has increased, although there is still room for improvement.

“You have to push Phil sometimes,” Lee said. “I have to get right in his back pocket. But when he turns it on, it’s awesome.”

Arrasmith has noticed a more dedicated Fonua this season.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” Arrasmith said. “A lot of days after practice, Phil stays out on his own and runs wind sprints. Most 270-pounders are looking for a place to lie down.”

Fonua knows that he must continue to apply himself.

“Do I work hard? Sometimes,” he said. “But I could work harder.”

When he’s at his best, Fonua has been a dominating player, especially on defense. He leads the Mustangs with 16 sacks and has 41 unassisted tackles, 10 assists, three fumble recoveries and two fumbles caused.

“Phil’s a high school All-American when he wants to be,” Morrow said.

Fonua’s versatility extends beyond the football field. He is a starting forward on the Mira Costa basketball team, and he ranked among the area’s top shotputters last spring.

Championship game notes

The Southern Section Division VII final features two coaches in their first year at their respective schools. Don Morrow was at South Torrance before moving to Mira Costa, and Rancho Alamitos Coach Doug Case was promoted from defensive coordinator. Mira Costa, whose only loss was to Ocean League champion Culver City, is appearing in its first section final. The Mustangs had never won more than one playoff game in a season. Mira Costa has playoff victories over Pomona, third-seeded Lompoc and second-seeded Kennedy. The Mustang defense, led by linebacker Dennis Hughes, was successful blitzing in last week’s victory over Kennedy and will probably try the same tactic against sophomore quarterback John Frank of Rancho Alamitos.

Rancho Alamitos is appearing in the Division VII final for the second consecutive season, having lost to Sunny Hills, 14-13, in 1992. Rancho Alamitos, the third-place team in the Garden Grove League, has beaten Troy, top-seeded Sierra Vista and Arroyo Grande in the playoffs. The Vaquero offense is led by Frank, who passed for 169 yards and two TDs in last week’s 24-14 victory over Arroyo Grande. Junior running back Kevin Allen rushed for 172 yards, including a 63-yard TD. Wide receiver Jeff Turbarg caught six passes for 156 yards and two TDs. The kicking game could be a key. Mira Costa kicker Julio Rosales missed two extra points and a short field goal last week before making a 35-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. Rancho Alamitos’ Tony Luce kicked a 45-yard field goal last week and has averaged more than 40 yards a punt.

South Bay Football Top 10

Selected by Times Sportswriters

Rank, School, League Record 1 Hawthorne (Bay) 12-1 2 San Pedro (Southern 12-1 3 Carson (Pacific) 9-4 4 Mira Costa (Ocean) 12-1 5 Peninsula (Bay) 10-2 6 Banning (Pacific) 5-6 7 Leuzinger (Bay) 5-6 8 South Torrance (Pioneer) 7-3-1 9 North Torrance (Pioneer) 5-6 10 West Torrance (Pioneer) 6-5