Mesa’s Crenshaw named league MVP

Costa Mesa High senior Oronde Crenshaw took home the Orange Coast League MVP honor after a stellar all-around football season in which he led the Mustangs to an undefeated league title, their first in five years.

Crenshaw, a running back, middle linebacker and kick returner, lifted Costa Mesa (7-4, 5-0 in league) to the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs after it missed the postseason in 2012.

Nine teammates join Crenshaw on the first team, including senior Joseph Quiroz, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year, Marco Zalpa, the league’s Lineman of the Year, and sophomore Cameron Curet, the league’s Special Teams Player of the Year.

The Mustangs other six first-team members are senior Quinton Bell, a wide receiver and outside linebacker, junior Will Padilla, a fullback and nose tackle, senior Oliver Ferris, a quarterback and strong safety, senior lineman Edgar Molina, senior Daniel Lawrence, a receiver and cornerback, and senior outside linebacker Jonathan Dmitruk.

Crenshaw rushed 222 times for 1,971 yards and 28 touchdowns. He finished with 32 total touchdowns, setting a Costa Mesa single-season school record.

As a linebacker, Crenshaw totaled 120 tackles and four interceptions, returning one pick 72 yards for a touchdown. He forced three fumbles.

Crenshaw had kickoff returns for 89, 87 and 87 yards go for touchdowns.

Crenshaw, a three-time first-team selection, said he has verbally committed to play football at Arizona State.

Quiroz finished with 107 tackles, 17 for losses, 8.5 sacks, 25 hurries, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Costa Mesa ran 75% of the time to Zalpa’s side, helping the Mustangs average 277.5 yards on the ground per game.

Curet converted 45 of 51 extra-point kicks and four of five field-goal attempts. His longest successful field goal was from 42 yards.

Bell, playing in only six games because of injuries, finished with 21 catches for 453 yards and six touchdowns.

He had 38 tackles, three for losses, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.

Padilla rushed 51 times for 386 yards and six touchdowns, and blocked for Crenshaw.

He had 47 tackles.

Ferris passed for 1,261 yards and 10 touchdowns, with four interceptions.

Ferris made 81 tackles, recovered two fumbles and caused one fumble.

Molina finished with 66 tackles, 14 for losses, six sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Lawrence caught 26 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns.

He had 51 tackles, four interceptions, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

Dmitruk produced 79 tackles and one interception.

— From staff reports