CdM hopes to emerge from timber

Since the 2001 season, Northwood High has been the gold standard in

Pacific Coast League football.

Corona del Mar, which meets the Timberwolves tonight at 7 at

Irvine High, may find out if its league title aspirations this season

are merely fool’s gold.

The Sea Kings (3-2, 1-0 in league), ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern

Section Division IX, have pinned their hopes on a sterling defense

that last week recorded the program’s first shoutout in 62 games,

dating back to 1999.

And though another goose egg might be too much to ask against

Northwood (5-0, 1-0), ranked No. 1 in CIF Division IX, CdM Coach Dick

Freeman believes holding the hosts’ offense in check may be his

team’s only hope tonight.

“We’re not going to come out on the winning end of a scoring

orgy,” Freeman said. “We want to play it safe on offense and try to

cash in on opportunities our defense can give us.”

In a 40-0 triumph over Calvary Chapel Friday, the defense provided

more than field position, scoring all 20 of CdM’s second-half points.

The Sea Kings returned two interceptions and one fumble for scores to

help end a two-game losing streak.

The Sea Kings have not beaten Northwood in their last four

meetings and the Timberwolves are 20-1 against league foes since the

2001 campaign.

“I’m sure we’re considered the underdog in this game,” Freeman

said. “But if we can go in there and not be shellshocked and not be

thinking ‘Gosh, this is Northwood and it has done this and that,’

then I think we’ll be OK.”

The Sea Kings rely, offensively, on a running game led by senior

tailback Matt Loyd. Loyd has rushed for 573 yards and five touchdowns

on 80 carries this fall.

Colin Wigley and Shaun Mohler share quarterbacking duties and have

combined to throw for 391 yards and four TDs.

Steve Hillgren (averaging 24.7 yards on 10 catches) is CdM’s

leading receiver.

Northwood is led by senior quarterback Stuart Sharpe, who leads

the Timberwolves in rushing and passing. The 6-foot, 175-pounder has

run for 311 yards and seven TDs on 46 carries. He has completed 38 of

84 passes for 674 yards with nine TDs and eight interceptions.

Senior Sean Curtis, the son of Northwood Coach Rick Curtis, has a

team-leading 23 receptions for 440 yards and seven TDs.

CdM senior defensive end Matt Burgner comes in with 31 sacks,

which ties a school career record also held by Roger Rolle.

Burgner is but one of the Sea Kings’ defensive standouts. That

list also includes inside linebacker Mohler, noseguard John Fairbanks

and outside linebacker Erik Rask.

* See Corona del Mar lineups on B4.

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

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

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DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

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

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