CdM ready for Tesoro

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

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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 J. 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

6 Mike Gratzinger 5-8 190 Sr. LB

6 A. Williamson 6-0 205 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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