One More Play Sinks Costa Mesa’s Season

Covina Coach Darryl Thomas summed up the playoff attitude shortly after his Colts defeated Costa Mesa, 23-20, in a Southern Section Division VIII second-round game Friday at Orange Coast College.

“That’s what a CIF game should be,” Thomas said. “Both teams are out there playing good football and we just made one more play.”

The Mustangs (10-2) led, 13-12, at the half and increased the lead to 20-12 with a marathon drive to open the second half. Steve Herzog blasted up the middle from the two-yard line to cap the eight-minute, 18-play drive and put Costa Mesa up, 20-12.

That was about the last of the highlights for the Mustangs, who didn’t manage another first down the rest of the way. Costa Mesa netted only 15 yards of offense in the final 18 minutes.

Covina (10-2) drew even after a poor Mustang punt gave the Colts possession at the Costa Mesa 45. A 16-yard completion from Nick Covarrubias to a stretching David Bautista kept the drive alive on a third-and-13 play. Then Gilbert Holguin went in from one yard with 4:40 to go to close the gap to 20-18. Covarrubias went over the middle to tight end Brian Anderson for the conversion to tie the score.

That’s when Covina made its one more play. Ben Felter returned the kickoff 19 yards to the Costa Mesa 28, but lost the handle and Covarrubias fell on the ball.

A Steve Herzog sack and a holding penalty backed the Colts up to the Costa Mesa 45, but two Covarrubias-to-Bautista completions set up fourth and one at the Mustang 19. Jeremy Quinn came on to kick a 36-yard field goal and Covina took a 23-20 lead with 1:40 seconds left.

Costa Mesa failed on four passing attempts as the winningest season in Mustang history came to an end.

“I just feel bad for our seniors,” Costa Mesa Coach Jerry Howell said. “I’ve been here before, but I thought our kids deserved to play one more game.”

Jimmy Herzog rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown to lead Costa Mesa. His brother, Steve, added two touchdowns and teamed with Jeremy Siedesma, Richard Price and Chris Shanley to limit Covina to 238 total yards.

“Our kids had a hell of a year,” Howell said. “This team is as good as any Mesa team ever.”