SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Division VIII Championship

Costa Mesa vs. Trabuco Hills

RECORDS--Costa Mesa (9-2-2); Trabuco Hills (10-3)

SITE--Trabuco Hills High, 7 p.m.

COSTA MESA--Costa Mesa, which won its last league title in 1978, has never played in a section title game. Coach Myron Miller said Trabuco Hills overlooked Costa Mesa when the teams played in the regular season. “I think they had a difficult time taking us seriously,” he said. “And they’ve been very focused since we beat them. They’ve crushed everyone they played after they played us, and they’re waiting for us.” The Mustangs have been dominant in the postseason. After setting a single-season career rushing record during the regular season, tailback Binh Tran hasn’t let up in the postseason. He had a career-high 49 carries and compiled 309 yards and scored three touchdowns in its 35-7 semifinal victory over San Marino, but Trabuco Hills held Tran to 51 yards when Costa Mesa met Trabuco Hills in their Pacific Coast League game. Running back DeWayne Crenshaw gets an eighth of the carries of Tran, but still has compiled more yardage than all of Trabuco Hills’ rushers combined.

TRABUCO HILLS--The Mustangs know what it takes, having been to the finals four times in the last six years. Regarding the last meeting of these teams: “Our defense was fine, we just have to much a much better job on offense,” Trabuco Hills Coach Jim Barnett said. Defensively, Trabuco Hills is coming off a fine performance against Laguna Hills, in which the Mustangs held the Hawks top two rushers to 87 yards. “Obviously, a key is to stop Tran, but Crenshaw was the guy who hurt us last time.” Offensively, those receivers Miller was so worried about include Matt Rechner (42 catches, 771 yards, eight touchdowns) and Gerry Beckham. After scoring a lone field goal against Costa Mesa, Trabuco Hills has averaged 40 points per game, with a high of 49 against Laguna Beach and a low of 33 against Bellflower. J.C. Pintsak has thrown 12 touchdown passes, over 1,000 yards and no interceptions. If he’s having an off night, Chad Collins and Jake Galasso have thrown for about 1,400 yards, 13 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

KEY TO THE GAME--Last time the two Mustangs met, Costa Mesa won, 13-3, on the strength of big plays and special teams. Crenshaw ran 61 yards and Charles Chatman returned a punt 30 yards for Costa Mesa’s touchdowns. Trabuco Hills can’t afford to let that happen again.

CONSENSUS--As hard as it may be for one team to defeat another twice in one season--evenly matched teams and league rivals at that--Costa Mesa believes that this season, its destiny is to go all the way. Costa Mesa will get its first section title.