Football Preview: Costa Mesa vs. Laguna Beach

Costa Mesa (0-5) vs. Laguna Beach (1-4)

When/where: Friday, 7 p.m. Jim Scott Stadium

Key Mustangs: Jr. RB/MLB Mason Mataafa (72 carries for 297 yards and two TDs; 46 tackles); Jr. WR/FS/K Cameron Curet (43 carries for 323 yards and one TD; team-best 49 tackles); Jr. OL/DE Austin Sheffner.

Key Breakers: Soph. RB/DB Nick Krantz (83 carries for 413 yards, three TDs); Sr. WR/LB Brett Tracy (17 receptions for 295 yards, four TDs); Jr. QB Jack Simon (540 yards passing, eight TDs, five INTs).

Breakdown: The Orange Coast League opener for both schools is also the Mustangs’ homecoming game ... Costa Mesa is still searching for its first win of the season but is the defending league champion ... The Mustangs are coming off a bye week and Coach Wally Grant said it was much-needed ... Grant said that Costa Mesa is as healthy as it has been since its scrimmage against Tustin ... The Mustangs expect Mataafa (concussion) and senior WR/CB Darmonta Davis (shoulder) to be at full strength, while lineman Roberto Olivares (ankle) is expected to make his first start of the season ... Laguna Beach, which finished tied for fourth last year in the league, also has struggled this year in nonleague play ... The Mustangs and Breakers had one common nonleague opponent, Northwood. The Mustangs lost to the Timberwolves, 34-6, on Aug. 29 and Laguna Beach fell to Northwood, 38-14, on Oct. 2 ... Costa Mesa defeated Laguna Beach, 56-30, last year, to clinch the league title.

— Matt Szabo