After Taking 21-Point Lead, Troy Holds Off Costa Mesa

NEWPORT BEACH — In a game that featured 751 yards of offense and 11 touchdowns, Troy survived a Costa Mesa rally in the second half to defeat the Mustangs, 42-35, at Newport Harbor High School.

Led by senior running back James Hartford, who rushed for 186 yards and scored two touchdowns, Troy (2-2) rebounded from a 13-7 deficit with four scores to lead, 34-13, with 8:45 left in the third quarter.

But Costa Mesa (1-3) fought back behind Binh Tran, a junior who finished with 263 yards and three touchdowns in 35 carries. Tran, who gained 216 yards last week against Los Amigos, scored on runs of three and seven yards to close the gap to 34-27 with 35 seconds left in the third quarter.

After the Warriors made it 42-27 on Robb Ruzzi’s three-yard run, Costa Mesa responded with a three-yard run from Michael Pawinski to make it 42-35 following a two-point conversion. But Troy covered the ensuing onside kick.

Troy’s Brian Logan completed three of five pass attempts, but two went for touchdowns.

The second, a 66-yarder to Nick Ruzzi, occurred with no time left in the half. Logan took the snap as time expired. The timer fired the gun while the play was in progress, and many Costa Mesa players stopped, allowing Ruzzi to run down the sideline for the score to make it 28-13.