Ocean View’s Offense Cools Off as Edison Defense Supplies Heat

WESTMINSTER —  Ocean View High School’s football team was the hot commodity in the Sunset League entering Thursday night’s game against Edison. The Seahawks had won four consecutive games, including an upset of Huntington Beach last week, to guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs for the first time since the school opened in 1976.

But with a chance to ensure themselves at least a share of the Sunset League title for the first time, the Seahawks suddenly went cold, losing their homecoming, 24-10, in front of 4,000 at Westminster High School.

Edison tailback Shane Sherman, quarterback Donnie Smith and a relentless defense had a lot to do with the chill in the air. Sherman rushed for two touchdowns and 207 yards in 37 carries and caught three passes for 44 yards. Smith completed 10 of 14 passes for 147 yards. Tight end Brian Higgins had caught five of those passes for 86 yards and the Chargers’ young defense--seven of 11 starters are juniors--pressured Ocean View quarterback Randy Karliner and his receivers.

The loss drops Ocean View (6-3, 3-1) into a three-way tie with Edison (6-2, 3-1) and Huntington Beach (7-2, 3-1).

“We self-destructed,” Ocean View Coach Howard Isom said. “We blew some things, but they played well. We didn’t play up the way we should have.

“The destruction included major errors in blocking all the way down to plays being called that didn’t even get in the game.”

Karliner, a junior, completed only seven of 23 passes for 86 yards thanks in part to Edison’s defense, which was led by James Eidam. Craig Shusterick and Chip Anderson each sacked Karliner for minus-21 yards and the defense limited Ocean View to 184 yards and a touchdown. Sean Rogers scored in the first quarter on a 44-yard run to tie the score, 7-7.

Edison’s offense dominated the line of scrimmage and consequently, the Chargers rolled up the yards, 372 to be exact. They had little trouble moving the ball and scored on three of their four possessions in the first half.

Edison got excellent field position, taking the ball at the Ocean View 24 after John Arnold got off a poor punt for 14 yards.

Four plays later, Sherman ran nine yards for the game’s first score. Ocean View countered with Roger’s run. But Edison took the lead on a 72-yard, 13-play drive. Sherman scored on a 10-yard burst to give Edison a 14-7 lead. Edison mounted another drive, this one going 13 plays from the Ocean View nine, and came away with a 26-yard field goal by Doug Merlino to end the half leading, 17-7.