CdM thinking ‘payback’

Barry Faulkner

When this many of the same faces get together one year later, it’s

usually called a reunion. But when 29 combined starters who took part

in last year’s 34-34 nonleague football tie between Corona del Mar

High and Troy reconvene Friday at 7 p.m. at Fullerton High, grudge

match might be a more accurate description.

It’s the Sea Kings (1-0) who might be thinking more payback than

the Warriors (1-0), after Troy scored 21 unanswered points in the

fourth quarter last season to erase a seemingly insurmountable

deficit. If that wasn’t enough -- and the final touchdown scored with

six seconds left -it was Troy, with a 6-3-1 regular-season record and

a consistently higher ranking in the CIF Southern Section Division IX

polls, that claimed the division’s lone at-large playoff berth. The

at-large berth would have been CdM’s only avenue into the postseason

after finishing 5-4-1 and fourth in the Pacific Coast League.

“Our kids remember last year’s game, and the fact that they were

the ones who kept us out of the playoffs,” said CdM Coach Dick

Freeman, who has seven starters back on defense and four on offense.

Troy, ranked No. 7 in CIF Division IX, one spot behind CdM, has 18

starters back.

Veteran talent was displayed by both teams in last week’s season

openers, as the Sea Kings thumped Newport-Mesa rival Costa Mesa,

35-15, and Troy tomahawked San Dimas, 50-14.

It was the 200th victory for CdM football, now in its 41st season.

Troy’s triumph was the 137th of John Turek’s now 18-year tenure as

head coach, a number reflective of the respect he has generated from

his peers.

“Troy is always sound, physical and very well-coached,” Freeman

said. “When you watch (the Warriors) on film, they’re always blocking

who they’re supposed to.”

Troy carried out its assignments impressively last week, when it

scored on its first seven possessions, before emptying the bench.

Senior Jeremy Abriso, the Offensive MVP in the Freeway League a

year ago, when he tied for the Orange County lead and set a school

single-season record with 65 receptions, returned the opening kickoff

75 yards for a touchdown against San Dimas and the rout was on.

Senior running back Nick Gilkes collected 105 rushing yards on 12

carries, while backfield mate Ron Blanco, a junior, had 83 yards on

19 carries. Each had three TDs with Gilkes’ scoring runs covering 33,

26 and 6 yards.

Troy’s wing-T offense also includes returning first-team

all-league quarterback Jon Salazar, who completed 4 of 5 passes for

54 yards, before Turek pulled the plug on the aeriel game last week.

Abriso, closing in on the school career record of 85 receptions,

caught one pass, while senior Matt Resquer had three catches for 36

yards.

Adam Cueto helped Troy dominate on defense, collecting two

interceptions. Troy also recovered two San Dimas fumbles.

CdM, also debuted impressively, led by senior tailback Mark

Cianciulli. Last year’s All-PCL and All-Newport-Mesa performer rushed

for 172 yards on 26 carries, including TD runs of 74 and 2 yards. He

also caught two passes, including a 57-yard screen for a TD and

finished with 241 all-purpose yards.

Cianciulli said he is eager to redeem himself after netting just

31 yards on 12 carries last year against Troy.

Senior quarterback Jonathan Hubbard completed 6 of 9 passes for 87

yards and two TDs, to five different receivers, in the opener. He did

not throw an interception.

CdM’s defense also sparkled, including interceptions by sophomores

Tom Welch and Wess Presson, while the Sea King special teams also

performed with distinction.

Senior K.C. Rawlins, who also starts at receiver and safety,

boomed four kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks and one of his

kickoffs was recovered by CdM at the 1-yard line to set up an easy

touchdown.

CdM, which has high expectations this season, spoke openly of its

desire to contend for a CIF Division IX title after last week’s game.

But such talk would be significantly muffled, should it stumble

against Troy.

“It will be a challenge, but it’s a team we can play with,”

Freeman said.

“If we play good football, we should be in the game.”

*

Directions to Fullerton High

North on 55 to 91, west on 91 to Harbor Blvd. turnoff.

Right on Harbor to Chapman, turn right. School at 201 E.

Chapman.