CdM battles for top spot

Patrick Laverty

Corona del Mar High’s football team has put itself in perfect

position in the Pacific Coast League title race, but now comes the

real challenge.

After relatively easy victories over Laguna Beach and Calvary

Chapel, the Sea Kings (5-2, 2-0 in league) close out the season

against Northwood, Tesoro and University, all on the road.

The task begins tonight with a game against Northwood (6-1, 2-0)

at Irvine High at 7. The result, both from tonight and the two

ensuing games, will determine whether the Sea Kings are automatic

qualifiers for the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

The Timberwolves, the preseason favorite in the league and ranked

No. 3 in Division IX, should present the most formidable challenge

for CdM. They have two backs, Max Nikolenko and Jeff Keller, who have

each rushed for more than 500 yards.

Northwood also uses two quarterbacks, Bryan Curtis and Dan Selway,

who have combined to throw for 930 yards.

An offense that is averaging 29 points per game is balanced by a

defense that has allowed just 90 points in seven games combined.

“The next three teams all play a similar defense,” Freeman said.

“They line up 900 guys on the line of scrimmage. They just sneak a

few extra guys up there. We’re not throwing the ball real well. We’ve

got to get that going.”

Northwood will be stacking it up against the Sea Kings’ running

game, which features juniors Wess Presson (401 yards) and Austin

Brawner (319 yards) and sophomore Brett Crowley (324 yards).

The passing game features junior Tom Welch, who has completed 39

of 78 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns.

He’ll likely face a lot of pressure from the Timberwolves’

defense.

“They send a lot of people from different places,” Freeman said.

“They run that Bear defense, so everyone’s up at the line except the

safety and he’s only 10 yards off the line.”

Welch will attempt to compensate with quick-hitting passes to twin

brother, Kevin, and junior wideout Shane Collins.

Collins will also start at safety on defense and Freeman is

hopeful that he will be defending a number of passes.

“I really think we need to shut their running game down and make

them throw the ball,” Freeman said. They’ve had some trouble against

teams that have been able to do that.”

Northwood’s only loss came in Week 3, when it fell, 42-20, to Los

Amigos, ranked second in the division.

The Timberwolvers attempted 26 passes that game, eight more than

they have in any other contest this season.