After a devastating 2007 14-10 heartbreaking loss to the Oceanside Pirates, where a late La Costa Canyon lead slipped away with under a minute remaining in the ballgame, tonight the Mavericks have a chance to redeem themselves in the division I CIF championship game.

The Mavericks opponent - a dangerous Escondido team that field two workhorse running backs, one the them the son of a 10 year NFL veteran.

In order for La Costa Canyon to win its first CIF championship, they need play better than they did October 31st when they better skidded by the Cougars and had to overcome a 10 point halftime defecit for the win.

Here are the keys to an LCC victory:

1) Play like there is no tomorrow - because their probably isn't. For the Senior, this is it, the big one, the grand finale. Even with a win, the chances of La Costa earning a birth to the state championship bowl series is pretty much non-existent because of their 2 losses. The Mavericks must come out and set the tempo. They must be the drivers of the game, not Escondido. Whether LCC comes out on offense or defense first, one player needs to make a big play - a touchdown or a big hit. Its like making a first impression all over again. LCC must play with urgency on every series.

2) Tame the horses - LCC must find away, again, to stop the Escondido thorobreads. Seale has racked up a staggering 2447 yards with 29 touchdowns. Tim Zier has also run for an impressive 1240 yards. In their previous bout, the Gangrene defense held the dynamic cougar offense to under 200 total yards. Jacob Driver, Dutch Hapgood, Connor Garrett, Ian Seau, Paul Quessenberry, and Mike Kaisier must ignite the defense and stun Seale and Zier, because they will be looking for the opportunity to take the game into their own hands. You DO NOT want to give Ricky Seale any life, because if he gets on a role, he will burn you.


3) Coach Brown must take risks - In a championship game, anything can happen on any play. In the investment world, high risk can reap high reward. Its the same thing in tonights game. The Mavericks must take their shots down field, and not fall into a conservative whole. With Frausto, Stills, Hanson on a roll heading into the championship game, Brown must get them into the mix early. If Kenny Stills can come out and make some big plays in the first quarter, this could get in the heads of Escondido.

4) Frausto must use his wheels - In LCC's previous meeting with Escondido, Frausto pulled down the ball and ran for 2 touchdowns. Frausto is a playmaker and will make the difference in tonight's game. With the addition of Seth Hanson's powerful legs in the past couple of weeks, the Mavericks offense is like a 3 pronged stabbing weapon. If Frausto can consistently pick up the 5-10 yard scampers all night, this will frustrate an Escondido defense and take them off their game.

Prediction: Mavericks 24 Escondido 21