Mustangs

LOS ANGELES - The Newport Harbor High girls' volleyball team trailed, 8-2, in the fourth set and appeared to be on the verge of losing in four sets at Marlborough on Tuesday night. Coach Dan Glenn said he called a timeout to remind his Sailors the Mustangs were in the same situation in the second set, yet rallied to win. He encouraged his team to play with confidence. They responded with a rally of their own and survived to remain alive in the CIF Southern Section Division 1-AA playoffs.

COSTA MESA - The big-wave surf spot Mavericks is gaining greater fame these days as the subject of a major motion picture. But just more than 400 miles south of the cascading break, the Vanguard University women's soccer team continues to regularly drop into a forceful surge of its own. "I'm a firm believer that we're riding a wave right now and I don't see it crashing," Vanguard Coach Randy Dodge said after his team extended its winning streak to...

COSTA MESA - To look at it one way, the Costa Mesa High football team was just 14 points from going undefeated in the Orange Coast League this year. The Mustangs lost by just two points to Estancia and two points to Godinez. But the Mustangs will finish fourth in league and more than likely not make the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs. The latest tough loss, which came Thursday night at Jim Scott Stadium, was probably the end of their season. Costa Mesa battled Laguna Beach to the end but came up short on senior night, 35-28, in the league finale for both teams.

Last week was a special one for junior Oronde Crenshaw. His parents showed up to watch him play a football game for Costa Mesa High. To have his mother and father, along with his siblings, aunts and grandparents, at one of his games is rare. His father, DeWayne Crenshaw, lives in Utah. His mother, Lilia Mora, has a hard time walking up and down the bleachers. He understands why his dad cannot come to every game because of the distance. Talking about why his mom cannot always be there is hard for Crenshaw.

COSTA MESA - Calvary Chapel High senior quarterback Colin Kearon did his best Peyton Manning impression on his team's first two drives Thursday night. Kearon was passing over the middle with accuracy, leading the Eagles down the field for two touchdowns. He completed eight of 10 passes on the drives, and the two incomplete passes were drops. He seemed poised to perhaps lead Calvary to an upset victory on its homecoming night. "Their quarterback was phenomenal those first two drives," Costa Mesa junior linebacker Oronde Crenshaw said.

COSTA MESA - Right across the street from campus is how far the Costa Mesa High boys' water polo team traveled for its next game. Coach Justin Taylor joked that he ordered a bus for the trip. The Mustangs used their legs to get to Orange Coast College to play Sage Hill. Once they got there, it was a walk in the pool for the Mustangs on Wednesday. Costa Mesa routed the host Lightning, 18-8, to remain undefeated in Orange Coast League play. The next match for the Mustangs won't be as easy.

Corona del Mar High football coach Scott Meyer had his team pumped up after its 51-14 Pacific Coast League win over Northwood on Friday. In his post-game address, he asked his players, "Who's in the driver's seat?" The players answered back: "We are. " Meyer then said "No one comes into your house and takes it away from us. " The players later chanted "Chase that ring," meaning the CIF Southern Section Southern Division championship ring that the Sea Kings claimed in 2011. Coach Jeff Brinkley is in his 27th season calling plays for the Newport Harbor High offense.

COSTA MESA - At 6-foot-3, Estancia High junior middle blocker Abby Griffith towers over much of the competition on the volleyball court. On Wednesday at Costa Mesa High, Griffith and her 6-foot freshman sister, Emma, made sure the Eagles once again stood tall against the rival Mustangs. The Griffith sisters combined for 17 kills as Estancia beat Costa Mesa for the second time in Orange Coast League play. They again swept, 25-12, 25-18, 25-18. The second and third sets were competitive, but not enough to stop the Eagles from beating the Mustangs for the 18th straight time.