On A Roll, Mira Costa Football Team To Host Semifinal Tonight
Nov 19, 2021 08:51AM ● By Mb News Staff
Editor's note: On Friday night, the Mustangs played a tough game but fell to St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy, 46-43. See DigMB Instagram for our video showing the crowd's appreciation for the team.
Mira Costa High School's football team plays host tonight to a playoff game that could result in the Mustangs' first appearance in a CIF Southern Section finals game since 2009.
The Mustangs have been on a roll in the playoffs, with the team scoring at least 30 points in five consecutive
victories, two in the playoffs. Last week, the Mustangs romped to a
41-14 home victory over Alta Loma.
But the Mustangs have turned it around, bringing new energy and excitement into the playoffs.
The offense is led by QB Casey Pavlick, whose main targets are Cole Crotty (2 TD catches last week versus Alta Loma) and seniors Van Graw and Riley Blomstrand. The running game is headed by the "thunder and lightning" combo of Matt Kraskouskas and Dean Repetti (2 TD last week, pictured above scoring in the first playoff game versus Pacifica/Garden Grove).
The host Mustangs will have serious competition from the St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy. The team is 10-2 so far, including playoff games, finishing 2nd in the Camino Real League and outscoring opponents 136-44. St. Pius X defeated Rio Hondo Prep last week 34-20.
Awaiting the victor in Friday's contest will be the winner of the other Division 7 semifinal, which features Pasadena and Aquinas, also Friday night.
Costa is already playing deeper than some local rivals. Palos Verdes lost in the first round to Cypress, and Loyola was defeated last week by Etiwanda.
Friday's game starts at 7:00 p.m. at Waller Stadium on the Mira Costa High School campus.
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Photo credits -- Repetti touchdown: Dave Brewer; McCalla runback: Anny Marie Crotty.
