Bravehearts

Barry Faulkner

Line dining has become a midweek tradition for the Corona del Mar

High football team’s blocking brigade. So too has the program’s

procession of 1,000-yard rushers, which looks to be in good hands

this season, as senior Mark Cianciulli is a mere 153 yards from the

season milestone with at least three regular-season games remaining.

Sea King Coach Dick Freeman is, of course, enthused about the

recurrence of both rituals. A former offensive lineman himself,

Freeman stopped by a recent pizza consumption session to show support

for his linemen and their inspirational position coach, Miguel Romo.

A crucial Pacific Coast League-opening victory over University,

which snapped a three-game losing streak, followed Freeman’s dinner

visit. Now, bowing to superstition, Freeman plans to join the weekly

feast for as long as the victories continue.

“Sometimes you just have to make sacrifices for the good of the

program,” quipped Freeman, who believes he may need a personal

trainer and/or a stringent diet plan, if the winning streak extends

into the CIF Southern Section Division IX Playoffs.

The evolution of this unit has been ongoing, though Freeman

believes the current lineup may be the combination he and his staff

have been looking for.

Senior John Daley and juniors Andy Lujan and John Hayes have been

consistent contributors all season, while senior Jason Kidushim has

solidified the center position that was a large question mark into

the second week of the season.

Sophomore guard Andrew Keligian recently stepped in as a starter,

while rotating in seniors Steven Savage and Joseph Carr off the bench

has been a key in keeping the group fresh.

Daley (6-foot-1, 235 pounds), once a guard, is now starting at

right tackle, next to Hayes, while Lujan (6-2, 240) mans the left

tackle spot.

Freeman also credited the work of senior tight end Kris Cooper,

who with just one reception this season, is used almost exclusively

as a blocker.

The group helped pave the way for a season-high 233 rushing yards

in Friday’s 33-16 PCL win over Laguna Beach, including a 174-yard,

three-touchdown performance by Cianciulli.

It was the fifth game with at least 100 rushing yards this season

for Cianciulli, who appears poised to ride his blockers’ backs to the

postseason, perhaps even a PCL championship.

“There are a lot of pressure defenses in this league with a lot of

stunting,” Freeman said. “Our guys are starting to be able to pick

these things up. They did a really good job against Laguna Beach.”