Williams returns for another Mesa opener

There are conflicting reports as to where Savanna High senior football standout Dominique Williams will line up tonight, when the Rebels visit Costa Mesa in the season opener at Orange Coast College at 7. Wherever he is positioned, second-year Costa Mesa Coach Jeremy Osso figures to devote plenty of defensive attention.

Williams, who will play running back and/or receiver for the Rebels, was a one-man wrecking crew in a 55-7 season-opening win over Costa Mesa last season. He scored rushing touchdowns of 11 and 14 yards, caught a 42-yard touchdown pass and returned a kickoff 90 yards for another TD to extend Costa Mesa’s losing streak in openers to a school-worst five.

The Mustangs, coming off a 3-7 season, are virtually devoid of returners at the skill positions.

Costa Mesa’s returning ballcarriers carried 15 times for zero net yards in 2006. Returners accounted for two receptions for 35 yards last season, while returning passers were three for seven for 49 yards.

Sophomore Todd Davis, a transfer from Edison, where he was a backup on the freshman team last season, was expected to start at quarterback for the Mustangs. But that could change, based on eligibility issues that arose Thursday. If Davis doesn’t play, junior Brett Farthing, who completed one pass for 29 yards last season, is expected to step in, Osso said.

Junior Antwon Byrd figures to start at tailback for Costa Mesa. He did not have a rushing attempt last season, though his lone reception resulted in a 31-yard gain.

Senior Cody De La Mater had one reception for four yards in last season’s opener, before missing the rest of the year with torn knee cartilage.

Still, Osso believes the speed (Byrd) power (De La Mater) duo should be productive.

“I’m excited,” Osso said. “Last year we were one-dimensional: all we did was hand the ball to D.J. [Lepper].”

Costa Mesa, however, figures to have the edge in experience in the trenches, where Savanna, 9-3 last season after losing in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division quarterfinals to eventual champion Kennedy, suffered extensive losses to graduation.

The Rebels also lost Orange County All-Star quarterback Aaron Strazicich to graduation.

Anchoring the Mustangs offensive and defense fronts will be junior Juan Garces, a first-team All-Orange Coast League performer last season on defense. The 5-foot-7, 202-pounder is scheduled to start at noseguard and right guard on offense.

Senior tackles Jorge Sandoval (6-2, 187) and Steven Guzowski (6-5, 238) are also returning starters on offense for the Mustangs.

De La Mater, who stood out as a sophomore in 2005, also starts at linebacker, next to senior Robbie Gemayel. Gemayel, a 6-1, 167-pound middle ’backer, amassed 117 tackles in eight games (14.6 per contest) last season en route to first-team all-league recognition.

Costa Mesa senior John Salyer, a projected starter at receiver and strong safety, was a second-team all-league pick last season on defense.