Estancia Comeback Downs Costa Mesa

Estancia High rallied from a 20-point deficit to earn a 34-27 Pacific Coast League victory over Costa Mesa Friday night at Newport Harbor High.

The dramatic win over the Mustangs (5-3, 1-2 in league) put the Eagles (5-2, 2-1) in position to earn their first trip to the Southern Section playoffs since 1995.

Senior Andy Romo swept into the end zone from three yards yards out to cap a 10-play, 74-yard drive that broke a 27-27 tie with 21 seconds left.

Two Luis Avalos field goals and a pair of long touchdown plays by Nick Cabico gave Costa Mesa a 20-point cushion with 5:45 left in the half.

But from there, Estancia’s defense dug in and its offense quit stopping itself with mistakes.

A 22-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Valbuena to David Stoddard with 4:08 left in the half gave the Eagles momentum.

After Estancia’s first second-half possession ended in a punt, Costa Mesa took over at its own 17. On the first play, a fumble on a handoff bounded backward into the end zone, where Estancia senior outside linebacker Matt Colby won the chase for a touchdown that closed the gap to 20-13.

After a Costa Mesa punt, senior fullback Fahad Jahid broke 38 yards to the Mesa 12. Seven plays later, he plowed in on fourth-and-goal from inside the one.

Romo scored again in the fourth quarter, running around the left side eight yards for a touchdown.