Loversky Takes Over As Costa Rolls In Home Opener
The Mira Costa Mustang Ruggers completely dominated View Park Prep HS (55-0) that has been decimated by the graduation of senior classmen. The normally strong program is in the midst of rebuilding. Costa was without Team Captain Jonah Tavai and star Fullback Evanson Franck-Love (who were playing in the 54th Annual Lions All Star Football Game). Outside Center, Kaden Loversky, who has been dealing with a nagging turf-toe injury, was a last minute start. It was a good thing for the Mustangs as Loversky was able to overcome the pain to produce a truly memorable performance. Kaden got the scoring off only a few minutes into the contest when he alertly noticed the View Park side unprepared on a penalty from 32 meters out and he blew through the defense for his first score. The Mustangs’ second score came off a Loversky penalty kick that failed to find “touch” (out of bounds) and instead Wing, Dylan Swerdlow, doing exactly as he has been taught, raced downfield, picked the ball on a bounce and raced in for his first career Try. Loversky converted to make the score 12-0. The rest of the half became the Kaden Loversky show as the HS All American scored the next three Trys. Kaden’s second Try was nothing short of spectacular. Wing Jackson Fischer made a great play taking a pass deep in the Costa end and drove the ball down the touchline to the 46 meter line where he off-loaded to Loversky, who weaved through the opposition, eventually grubbing the ball (kicking the ball forward on the ground) past the defense where despite a tough bounce he was able to ground the ball in the Try Zone. The next score came off a beautiful off-load by Inside Center, Slade Gordon, as Loversky found paydirt from 22 meters. His final score of the night was just pure speed as he blew through the opposition from 62 meters out, giving the Mustangs a 31-0 halftime lead.
The second half saw the Mustangs Fullback, Aiden Martinez, score from 27 meters off another great pass from Gordon. Gordon’s unselfishness paid off as he himself took a pass and bullied his way through the defense from 28 meters. Fly-half Evan Anderson also converted, which was his first. Lock Max Stewartson, who is rapidly developing into a great rugby player and was constantly around the ball all night, found a loose ball on the 3 meter line and dove in for his first career score. Martinez finished the scoring with an 8 meter run.
The victory keeps the Mustangs in sole possession of second place and headed for a huge rematch with St. John Bosco in two weeks.
The JV Team followed Friday night’s victory with another great performance. Earlier in the evening Coach Michael Hammer’s JV team took on View Park in a 7’s game which was full of wide open play and a lot of scoring. This led to numerous Costa Ruggers earning the honor of “shooting the boot”. Coach Hammer’s teams have yet to lose a match. Way to go Coach!
Upcoming Games:
Girls: January 26 @ Carson HS at 6:00pm
Boys: January 27 vs. Redondo HS at 7:00
Waller Stadium at Mira Costa HS