But Costa Mesa head man Jeremy Osso is equally interested in the reply, as it figures to affect his defensive plans.
Abalos, who has 1,011 rushing yards and seven touchdowns for the Eagles (4-2), ranked No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division, missed nearly three quarters of last week’s loss to Ocean View after injuring his left knee.
The severity of the injury was downgraded late in the week, but his status remains unclear, Bargas said Thursday.
“We’re going to start Sean Davis [at tailback],” said Bargas, who will likely need to see how Abalos warms up before deciding on whether he will play.
Osso said he has prepared for any scenario.
“We’re hearing [Abalos] is going to play and we expect nothing less,” Osso said. “But we’re preparing to play the Estancia team, not a certain player. And we expect them to run the same system, regardless of who is lined up in the backfield.”
The Eagles figure to need Newport-Mesa’s leading rusher. Without Abalos last week, the Estancia offense stalled in a 20-10 setback to Ocean View.
“He’s a different back than whoever else they might put back there,” Osso said of Abalos. “He’s shifty.”
Ocean View beat Costa Mesa (3-3), by a 27-3 margin on Oct. 2.
It’s the 43rd edition of the rivalry clash, in which Estancia holds a 24-17-1 series lead.
The Mustangs earned a 14-7 win last season, ending a four-game Estancia winning streak in the series and triggering a 4-0 league campaign.
Mesa shared the Orange Coast League title with Estancia in 2007.
