Field goal in last 0:18 ousts CdM

Bryce Alderton

The door stayed open, if ever so slightly for the Pacifica High

Mariners’ football team against the Corona del Mar Sea Kings Friday

night.

In what appeared to be a game CdM (6-5) had in hand, leading by a

23-14 count with 7:33 remaining turned into anything but.

Curtis Gladden sent his teammates and the Pacifica faithful into a

frenzy following a 40-yard field goal with 18 seconds to go, lifting

the Mariners into the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section

Division IX Playoffs with a 24-23 heart-stopping win over the Sea

Kings at Bolsa Grande High.

“They made the big plays when they had to,” said a stunned Corona

Coach Dick Freeman. “(Justin Turner) is a good thrower and we didn’t

get enough pass rush on him.”

Turner completed a 32-yard pass to Steve Heller to the Sea King 30

and three plays later running back David Heller rumbled 13 yards on a

third-and-five play to set up Gladden’s winning boot.

Even after a 6-yard fumble on the following play, Gladden

converted his ninth field goal try in 12 attempts this season -- no

doubt his most important kick of the year.

“He’s gotten better and better,” said Pacifica Coach Bill Craven

of Gladden. “This is his first year of playing football. He’s also on

the soccer team.”

Turner and Heller hooked up for a 10-yard completion on third down

to the Corona 29, setting up Turner’s 9-yard pass to R.J. Koch two

plays later to get the Mariners within two, 23-21, with just under

five minutes remaining.”

“We have a quality quarterback and he showcased that tonight,”

Craven said.

But Turner did dodge a few bullets on the final Mariner scoring

drive.

Corona’s Matt Warsaw had a pass carom off his shoulder pad and two

plays later, Mordy Ornguze nearly intercepted a pass.

Gladden’s kick nullified a strong CdM offensive effort that gained

392 yards with 153 of those coming through the air and 239 on the

ground.

Wess Presson entered the game at tailback in the fourth quarter

and immediately made his presence known plowing for 22 yards before

scampering 34 yards on the next play to cap a four-play, 65-yard CdM

scoring drive that made it 23-14 Sea Kings with 7:33 to go.

“(Presson) is a strong running back that can take over and we were

able to move the ball,” Freeman said. “Unfortunately we had it in the

red zone twice and we fumbled the ball. We could have scored more.”

CdM Corona fumbled at its own 12 in the second quarter and at its

own 20 in the third quarter, ending promising drives.

CdM led, 16-7, after three quarters following a 25-yard David Del

Fante field goal, but a 3-yard run off tackle by Josh Macias got

Pacifica to within two at 16-14 nearly three minutes into the fourth

quarter.

The Sea Kings used the run and pass effectively.

They scored touchdowns on the first and fourth plays of drives.

Quarterback Jonathan Hubbard completed seven of 12 throws for 153

yards with no interceptions and a 50-yard touchdown pass to Kevin

Welch on the first play from scrimmage with 45 seconds left in the

first half.

Welch caught the ball coming across the middle at the Mariner 20

and outran the defender to the corner of the end zone. CdM led, 13-7

going into intermission.

Senior K.C Rawlins made his presence known for the Sea Kings with

a 50-yard catch on third-and-one at the Pacifica 37 in the second

period.

Rawlins’ catch prolonged a drive that resulted in Keith Long

pounding his way for a 1-yard TD on the Sea Kings’ second possession

of the second quarter.

“I can’t say enough about the leadership of the seniors,” Freeman

said. “They’re the heart and soul of this team. It’s a great group of

guys.”

Senior Mark Cianciulli carried 17 times for 134 yards, 82 of those

in the first half, while Presson gained 81 yards on nine carries.

Kris Cooper carried three times for 43 yards and Long finished

with 10 yards on five carries.