Roadrunners

Estancia plays with fire, but Saddleback responds early and late in Golden West League showdown.COSTA MESA -- The Estancia High boys' soccer team had been hungry to play powerhouse Saddleback, which is ranked No. 1 in CIF Southern Section's Division III, since the season started. Estancia felt in order to be the best, they'd have to beat the best. The Eagles may have given their best during Friday's Golden West League showdown, but it wasn't enough in a 2-0 loss to Saddleback at Estancia High.

COSTA MESA - Coach Robert Castellano has told his players that they're all important and he needs each one of them to do their part. He's not kidding. Everyone on the team gets to play. With only 15 players, the Estancia High boys' soccer team is thin. The program began the season with 20 players, but three players have been lost to injuries and two players because they had to get jobs. At halftime of the Eagles' match on Friday, they lost another player. Castellano said Chris Gomez, the team's leading goal scorer last season, had to leave because of work.

COSTA MESA — On the back of the jerseys of Costa Mesa High's opponent were huge numbers. Through five innings Tuesday, the Mustangs had the big number that mattered most, eleven runs. The Mustangs were on their way at home to shutting out Saddleback. Coach Jim Kiefer pulled starter Tyler Sheffner after four strong innings and his replacement, Logan Benter, after one inning in relief. Saddleback managed just two hits before the top of the sixth. Costa Mesa helped the Roadrunners reach base in the final two innings because of hit batters, walks and errors.

Costa Mesa grid pre vs. SaddlebackSaddleback is latest challenge for Costa Mesa, which has lost nine straight.The Costa Mesa High football team is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak, including an 0-7 start this season. Coming off the program's most lopsided loss in 42 seasons -- a 55-0 setback to Santa Ana Saturday -- Friday's 7 p.m. league clash with visiting Saddleback (2-4, 1-2) at Orange Coast College would appear to offer some reason for optimism. But first-year Costa Mesa Coach Jay Johnson isn't so sure.

COSTA MESA - The Costa Mesa High football team entered Friday's Orange Coast League contest against Saddleback in a three-game tailspin on the verge of being eliminated a berth into the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs. The Mustangs were obviously ready to change things up. The result was seven touchdowns and a field goal on Costa Mesa's eight offensive possessions to run away for a 58-12 triumph at Jim Scott Stadium. Junior tailback Oronde Crenshaw rushed for 266 yards and four touchdowns to lead the onslaught, which included a pair of touchdown passes from senior quarterback Noah JeyaRajah.

Estancia finds its running game, piling up 219 yards in a rout of Saddleback to stay alive in the Golden West League playoff hunt.COSTA MESA -- Estancia High changed its fortunes on the ground, and it just may have changed its fortunes for the playoffs. The Eagles had compiled 144 rushing yards this season through eight games. On Thursday night, they showed a new dimension, running for 219 yards in a 34-7 Golden West League victory over Saddleback. "This is the best effort we have had establishing the run all season," Estancia Coach Brian Barnes said.

Barry Faulkner Costa Mesa High football coach Dave Perkins is appreciative that Saddleback Coach Jerry Witte allowed the Golden West League finale between the Mustangs and Roadrunners to be rescheduled for tonight at 7 at Newport Harbor High. But giving up its familiar home venue -- the game was originally scheduled to be played at the Santa Ana Bowl, first Saturday, then Friday -- is the only concession Perkins is counting on from always scrappy Saddleback, which will be the designated home team.

UC Irvine senior middle blocker Kyle Weichert has been chosen the Sports Imports/AVCA Division I-II Men's National Player of the Week. Weichert recorded 10 kills with zero errors on 14 attempts for a .714 hitting effort in a win over UC Santa Barbara, the 12th-best mark in Anteater history. He added four digs, three assists and one ace against the Gauchos. Weichert followed that outing with 11 kills and five blocks against Cal State Northridge. With four block assists against the Matadors, Weichert became the UCI career leader with 373. He has also set the single-season record for block assists this year with 152, before Saturday's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation quarterfinal loss at BYU. Weichert averaged 3.25 points, 2.62 kills and 0.88 blocks, while hitting at a .576 clip (21 kills with two errors in 33 attempts)

I was so glad to read that the Costa Mesa Animal Control Department is now logging reports of coyote. I also hope records of activities and attacks will be kept. I am a Mesa Verde resident whose cat has disappeared. When our pet of 14 years did not come home on June 6, I called Animal Control to get some information and some help locating him. After several conversations, I learned a lot about coyotes, limited budgets and public servants' priorities.

Tony Altobelli It's such a mean game Estancia High track and field standout Liz Huipe plays on the rest of the competitors during a track meet, especially the 3,200-meter run. Huipe likes to hang out in the middle of the pack, trying to pick just the right time to make her move and dash the hopes out of the rest of the runners. "Some people go out way fast and by the time a mile as passed, they are already slowing down," Huipe said. "I like to take it kind of easy to start and then pick it up in the later laps."