The Otay Ranch Mustangs worked hard in preparation for their season opener Sept. 2 against the defending Southern Section Eastern Division champion Elsinore Tigers. The early dividend was a quick 14-0 lead. But the Mustangs were unable to do two things: stop the Tigers’ powerful running game and sustain their own offensive momentum into the second half in absorbing a 44-21 setback.
Otay Ranch’s 44-10 non-league victory against the visiting Serra Conquistadors last Friday appeared to correct much of what went wrong in the season opener.
Mustang head coach Anthony Lacsina termed the outcome a “good win” for his team.
“We got it going offensively in the second half,” Lacsina said.
Otay Ranch put the game away with the final three touchdowns of the game after Serra had crept somewhat back into the game by trailing 20-10 to close out the third period.
Quarterback Cody Springsguth rushed for a 22-yard touchdown and later fired a 25-yard touchdown pass to Chris Martin to quickly put his team ahead 34-10.
Sophomore Anthony Williams closed out the host’s 21-point fourth quarter barrage on an electrifying 52-yard touchdown run.
Overall, the Mustangs corralled the Conquistadors with 28 second-half points. Deodrick Cunningham scored on a one-yard run to put Otay Ranch ahead, 20-7, to start the third quarter.
David Mondy helped the hosts seize the early momentum in the game by scoring two first-half touchdowns. He rushed 10 yards for a score in the first quarter to give the Mustangs a 6-0 lead. He scored on a 16-yard run in the second quarter to put his team up 13-7 after the visitors had taken a brief 7-6 lead on a two-yard run by Alex Padilla.
The Conquistadors’ only other points in the game came on a 29-yard field goal by Kyler McLaughlin in the third quarter.
Williams had seven carries for 133 yards while Monday rushed nine times for 80 yards. They combined to score three touchdowns.
Springsguth completed 10 of 16 passes for 156 yards while Martin had five catches for 59 yards.
Defensively, James Adams had eight tackles while Andre Jones made seven stops and Justin Doton had six defensive hits. Jordan Peterson made one interception while Francisco Solis had one sack.
Serra totaled 92 rushing yards and 149 passing yards in the game while the Mustangs racked up 374 rushing yards and 166 passing yards to top out at a very productive 540 total offensive yards.
Otay Ranch will seek its second victory of the season when it visits Mission Bay (1-1) in a non-league game on Friday. The Buccaneers are coming off a 27-20 non-league win at Horizon Christian last Friday. Kick-off is 3 p.m.
