T-wolves push CdM

Steve Virgen

After losing, 35-7, to Pacific Coast League favorite Northwood High,

Corona del Mar football coach Dick Freeman was concerned with what he

said was the turning point of the game. He also appeared to be just

as interested in what figures to be the turning point of the season

for CdM.

Saturday night’s PCL battle for first place at Irvine High was

tough for the Sea Kings, as they lost their top running back, Wess

Presson, to a leg injury. The situation is not any easier for them as

they will face Tesoro on a short week on Friday.

CdM was supposed to play Northwood Thursday, but because of the

poor air quality due to the Southland fires, the game was rescheduled

to Saturday night.

“We’re really going to find out what we’re made of next week,”

Freeman said.

What the Sea Kings came to realize against the Timberwolves (7-1,

3-0 in league), ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division IX, was

rather humbling.

“We’re just not as physical as Northwood,” said Freeman, who

mentioned his team took an emotional hit when Presson went down after

his first carry of the game, midway through the first quarter. “When

Presson went down, it definitely put a dent in things. It’s possible

his leg is broken. It’s tough when you lose a starting running back.”

Without Presson, the Sea Kings tried to attack Northwood through

the air, and CdM running back Austin Brawner also had a few key

gains. But, with frequent blitzes and stunts, the Timberwolves’

defense continuously turned away the Sea Kings (5-3, 2-1).

“Our offensive line was the turning point and they set the tone on

that first drive of the game,” said Northwood Coach Rick Curtis, who

added the victory was a bit of revenge. “It feels good. In our first

year we were outmanned against them. They scored 56 points on us (a

56-23 CdM victory in 2000), and so we were able to get back at them a

bit. But they are a good young team and we know they are definitely

going to be stronger next year.”

The Timberwolves opened the game with a 12-play, 79-yard drive

that took up nearly half of the first quarter. Northwood had just one

incomplete pass and gained all its yards on the ground as Max

Nikolenko and Jeff Keller took turns moving their way through CdM’s

defense.

After CdM went three and out, Northwood scored on its second

possession, with quarterback Bryan Curtis, the coach’s son, leaning

into the end zone from 1 yard out to help give the Timberwolves a

14-0 lead.

However, the Sea Kings quickly responded on a big play from junior

quarterback Tom Welch and junior receiver Shane Collins.

Just 42 seconds after Northwood scored, Welch went deep to

Collins, who caught the ball at Northwood’s 40 and outran defenders

for a 73-yard TD play.

Yet that turned out to be the Sea Kings’ lone bright spot.

Northwood extended its lead to 21-7 when Keller scored from 3 yards

out with 33 seconds left in the first half.

The Timberwolves scored two touchdowns in the second half, both

coming on play-action passes to the tight end.