Big Plays the Key as Costa Mesa Defeats Lakewood Mayfair, 14-6

Two-way starter Ryan Taylor of Costa Mesa returned an interception 73 yards with 45 seconds left in the first half to propel the Mustangs to a 14-6 nonleague victory over Lakewood Mayfair at Newport Harbor High Thursday night.

Costa Mesa, which never trailed, scored on its first possession, when Julius Vasquez returned the opening kickoff 69 yards. Two plays later, Taylor connected with Josh Amezola on a 19-yard pass to put the Mustangs at the two, setting up a two-yard touchdown run by Ray Ohrel with 10:50 left in the first quarter.

Ohrel finished the game with 15 carries for 90 yards.

On defense, Costa Mesa’s Jason Morin had two sacks, taking the Monsoons for 18 yards in losses. Costa Mesa defenders Vasquez, Kurtis Van Horn and Brian Abbott each recovered a Mayfair fumble.