CARLSBAD — Nearly two hours before fourth-ranked La Costa Canyon kicked off against No. 7 San Marcos on Friday night, Mavericks coach Sean Sovacool was holding court in the team room.

Eighty-nine players squeezed inside. The testosterone was off the charts. All eyes were on the screen as Sovacool played and rewound San Marcos video.

“Pursuit has got to be terrific,” said Sovacool. “They’ve got good skill people.”

Then Sovacool’s voice rose, sharply and loudly. The intensity in his face was palpable.

“GET OFF BLOCKS! BEAT THE DOUBLE TEAM WITH SPEED! DON’T DANCE WITH THE DUDE!”

LCC suffered a heartbreaking 35-34 loss last week to Mission Hills, scoring with 37 seconds to play, then botching a two-point conversion that would’ve won it.

“We’ve gotta wash this taste out of our mouth,” sai

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