A night for rivals

There quite possibly is no game on the schedule that holds as much

importance for a Laguna Beach High athletic team than the one

sporting the name Corona del Mar.

Such is the case for the school’s football program. But not only

is tonight’s showdown with their primary rival a key game in the

Pacific Coast League race, it marks the celebration of Homecoming

2002.

The teams also met in Laguna’s 2000 Homecoming game.

Tonight at Guyer Field, rivals Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar

will square off for the 13th time. The Sea Kings hold an 8-4 edge in

games, having won the last three games played in the series, dating

back to 1999.

Prior to that, the last time Laguna Beach beat the Sea Kings was

in 1985. The teams didn’t play again until the ’99 season.

“It’s always an important game for us,” Laguna Beach coach Dave

Holland said. “The kids really get pumped up for Corona del Mar.”

Holland knows a thing or two about the rivalry, having previously

coached at Corona del Mar. He took over at Laguna Beach seven years

ago and has played the Sea Kings on three occasions.

The novelty has worn off.

“It was really special to play CdM the first time, but I’m kind of

over it,” Holland said. “It’d be nice to beat them. I know it’s been

a long time since Laguna’s had a win in this series.”

There are two key reasons Laguna needs to beat the Sea Kings.

Not only would a victory give the Breakers bragging rights , it

would also keep alive their hopes in the Pacific Coast League title

race.

Laguna Beach is coming off a heartbreaking, high-scoring 41-40

defeat last Saturday to Calvary Chapel. That game saw the Eagles pull

out one a touchdown pass with 33 seconds remaining.

It was the last of three touchdown passes thrown by Calvary Chapel

quarterback Terry Mermer, who threw for more than 500 yards in a PCL

opener for both schools.

The 40 points were the most scored by a Laguna team since a 49-7

win over La Quinta on opening night of the 1999 season.

The 40 also are the most points scored in a lost game in school

history.

Tonight’s game will test Laguna’s ability to bounce back. The

Breakers won’t get as severe a test in the secondary as Mermer

offered -- Corona del Mar favors the run.

The Sea Kings ended a losing streak at three games last Thursday

and opened up PCL play on a winning note by edging visiting

University, 14-13. They did it by rallying from a 13-0 first half

deficit.

CdM rushed for 180 yards and got short touchdown runs from Matt

Cooper and Mark Cianciulli, who led the Sea Kings in rushing with 137

yards and scored the winning touchdown following a fourth-quarter

fumble recovery by teammate Kris Cooper.

The Sea Kings themselves are susceptible to the run as University

rushed for 230 yards last week and gained more than 360 yards of

total offense.

Donnelle Darling, the key to Laguna’s rushing attack, ran for 156

yards and three touchdowns last week. Junior quarterback Alex Wilson

had a big night, too, throwing close to 315 yards and three

touchdowns, two of which went to Ed Hanke.

CdM enters the game with a No. 6 ranking in the latest CIF

Division IX poll.

Last year’s score: CdM 33, Laguna Beach 14

2002 Season Log

Laguna Beach (4-2; 0-1)

40 La Quinta 2

39 Bolsa Grande 0

14 Costa Mesa 7

14 El Segundo 41

27 Magnolia 10

40 *Calvary Chapel 41

(*denotes Pacific Coast League game)