PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : University Forces Costa Mesa to Settle for a 30-30 Tie

Junior Brian Reeves caught a one-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Taylor with six seconds left, allowing Costa Mesa to tie University, 30-30, Friday night at Irvine High School.

University defensive tackle Justin Overdebest stopped Charles Chatman, who tried to run for the conversion, to prevent the Mustangs from winning.

Chatman led Costa Mesa (7-1-1, 3-0-1) with 340 yards in 35 carries. But the Mustangs, ranked third in Division VIII, had three costly fumbles.

Chatman’s one-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds left in the third quarter closed the University lead to 30-22. Taylor connected with Josh Schroeder on a two-point conversion pass to trail, 30-24.

University (4-1-1, 2-1-1) was led by its special teams, which scored two touchdowns.

On the first play of the game, Costa Mesa’s Joey Archuletta fumbled on the kickoff. Gene Paleo grabbed the ball in the air and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Chatman’s six-yard touchdown run--and a two-point conversion run--with 9 minutes 12 seconds left in the first quarter gave Costa Mesa an 8-7 lead.

But University moved ahead, 10-8, on Charles Thompson’s 21-yard field goal with 4:12 left in the first quarter.

University took the lead, 16-8, on Tucker Highfield’s six-yard touchdown run with 2:45 left in the first quarter.

University led, 30-16, when Fred Roberts blocked a punt and Stephen McKee recovered the ball and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown with 1:08 in the second quarter.

On the play, Costa Mesa lineman Jason Morin suffered a concussion. After a 25-minute delay, he was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana. He is listed in serious but stable condition, nursing supervisor Thelma Myers said.