CdM set for league opener

The Corona del Mar High football team has lost its last two games,

following a 2-0 start. But there are obviously some who believe the

Sea Kings’ showing against stronger competition in recent weeks, has

actually bolstered there reputation.

Voters in the CIF Southern Section Division IX poll have rewarded

CdM (2-2) for the aforementioned losing streak, elevating the Sea

Kings a couple spots to No. 6 ranking.

Coach Dick Freeman is another who thinks playing tougher foes has

better prepared his team for Pacific Coast League play, which begins

Friday night at 7 against Calvary Chapel and Newport Harbor High.

“We played hard against Troy and had a chance to win [in a 25-18

loss Sept. 16] and if we don’t lose two fumbles deep in our own

territory against Newport Harbor [a 14-0 setback Friday night] we’re

driving at the end of the game for a chance to win,” Freeman said. “I

think our kids have got a lot to look forward to. Nothing, so far,

has been so disappointing that they might think ‘Gosh, we can’t play

anymore.’ We’ve told them they’ve gotten better every week and this

is the time they really need to start eliminating mistakes.”

Indeed, all signs lead to a league-opening win against the Eagles

(0-4), who have been outscored thus far, 89-26.

Calvary Chapel, coached by former CdM assistant Lyle Lansdell, has

lost three straight seasons to the Sea Kings, by a combined margin of

116-21.

CdM has also won its last seven league openers and is hoping to

build momentum heading toward back-to-back games against league

powers Northwood (Oct. 6) and Tesoro (Oct. 14).

“It’s going to get real tough in a real hurry,” Freeman said.

Defense has been the most consistent aspect of CdM’s game thus far

and Freeman called last week’s showing against Newport Harbor his

team’s best defensive performance of the year.

Senior end Matt Burgner, senior noseguard John Fairbanks, senior

inside linebacker Shaun Mohler and sophomore outside ‘backer Erik

Rask have been standouts thus far.

Burgner, an All-CIF returner, has seven sacks this season and 31

for his career. His next sack will make him the sole school career

record holder.

Offensively, senior tailback Matt Loyd has amassed 524 rushing

yards and four touchdowns on 71 carries.

CORONA DEL MAR STARTERS

*--*

OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Pos.

10 Colin Wigley 6-1 170 Sr. QB 5 Matt Loyd 5-10 175 Sr. TB 45 Matt Burgner 6-0 225 Sr. FB

2 Steve Hillgren 5-10 170 Jr. WR 8 Charlie Albright 5-9 165 Jr. WR

46 Avery Fenton 6-3 230 Sr. TE

60 John Fairbanks 6-3 240 Sr. LT

79 Aroin Lapuz 5-9 221 Jr. LG

59 Steven Dean 6-0 243 Jr. C

75 James McKennon 6-0 190 So. RG

76 Max Prescott 6-2 230 So. RT

*--*

*--*

DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Pos.

45 Matt Burgner 6-0 225 Sr. DE

60 John Fairbanks 6-3 240 Sr. NG

55 Keaten Price 6-2 210 Jr. DE

13 Erik Rask 6-0 170 So. LB

7 Shaun Mohler 6-3 200 Sr. LB

11 A. Williamson 6-0 205 Sr. LB

6 Mike Gratzinger 5-8 190 Sr. LB

20 Tommy Folks 5-6 150 Jr. LB

5 Matt Loyd 5-10 175 Sr. CB 2 Steve Hillgren 5-10 170 Jr. CB 8 Charlie Albright 5-9 165 Jr. S

*--*