CdM ready for Tesoro

CdM grid pre vs. TesoroSea Kings will be considered road underdogs Friday against Pacific Coast League powerhouse Titans.For the Corona del Mar High football team, the light at the end of the Pacific Coast League tunnel is, in fact, obscured by an oncoming train.

The league schedule forced the Sea Kings (3-3, 1-1 in league) to deal with PCL powers Northwood and Tesoro in the first half of their six-game league campaign.

The latter half of that assignment, which began with a 21-0 road setback against Northwood Oct. 6, will occur Friday at Tesoro at 7 p.m.

Tesoro (4-1, 1-0) is the reigning league and CIF Southern Section Division IX champion. Coach Jim O’Connell’s Titans, winners of 14 of their last 15, have shown they are capable of defending both titles.

But CdM Coach Dick Freeman, while acknowledging the extreme challenge facing his team this week, isn’t about to concede victory.

“We think we’ve got a shot against Tesoro,” Freeman said. “We can play defense against anybody. We think we have one of the best defenses in the league.”

The problem, however, has been offense for the Sea Kings.

They have been shut out two of the last three weeks and their inability to account for opposing defenders has encouraged opposing coaches to load up the box and blitz with abandon.

Freeman expects more of the same from the Titans.

“They are going to come against us, until we prove we can stop them,” Freeman said.

University’s unrelenting blitzes helped limit the Sea Kings to 124 yards and only five first downs.

“When we give our quarterback time, we’ve been able to throw the ball. But, last week, [Northwood defenders] were beating us to our three-step drop.”

Seniors Colin Wigley and Shaun Mohler continue to share time at quarterback for CdM. Wigley has completed 19 of 37 for 255 yards and two touchdowns, while Mohler is 19 of 47 for 214 yards and two TDs.

An ailing knee has rendered senior tailback Matt Loyd a shell of the player who amassed 482 rushing yards the first three games. Loyd, who was hurt initially against Newport Harbor, has 123 yards on 35 carries the last three contests.

CdM’s leading receiver is junior Steve Hillgren, who has 14 catches for 271 yards and three TDs.

Tesoro is averaging just more than 34 points per game with a balanced offensive attack.

Sean Calcagnie, a returning All-CIF performer, has rushed for 702 yards and 11 TDs, while quarterback Todd Sciaqua has thrown for 932 yards and 10 TDs.

Scott McKnight has been a prolific receiver with 39 catches for 607 yards and six TDs.

CORONA DEL MAR STARTERS