Six locals selected All-CIF

Corona del Mar High senior Steven Hillgren, the Newport-Mesa Player of the Year, tops a list of six locals named All-CIF Southern Section in their respective divisions.

Hillgren, a cornerback and receiver, has been honored on offense in the Southern Division, as selected by section coaches.

Also honored in the Southern Division were Corona del Mar senior quarterback Taylor Hughes, Estancia senior receiver Tim Redding and Estancia senior outside linebacker Tim Morley.

Mike Calabrese, a senior defensive tackle from Newport Harbor, was recognized in the Pac-5 Division. It’s the second All-CIF honor for Calabrese, who was selected in Division VI in 2005, after the Sailors won the division championship.

Sage Hill senior receiver Braden Ross was honored in the Northeast Division.

Hillgren had 52 receptions for 932 yards and 11 touchdowns to help the Sea Kings advance to the Southern Division quarterfinals and finish 7-5.

He also had nine interceptions and his 18 career picks are a school record.

Hillgren also returned punts and kickoffs for the Sea Kings, whose 44-40 first-round playoff win over Estancia was their second preseason victory in as many years.

Hughes, the Newport-Mesa Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 2,204 yards and 22 touchdowns, both school records, in his only season with the Sea Kings.

The Mater Dei transfer completed 139 of 234 passes with 11 interceptions.

Hughes who missed two full games with injuries, also rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown.

Calabrese, the Newport-Mesa and Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year, had 47 tackles, 12 for losses, including five sacks.

The 6-foot-1, 224-pounder dominated opponents with his rare combination of strength and quickness. He helped Newpor Harbor post a 6-4 record that included an upset of Sunset League rival Esperanza.

Ross made 66 receptions for 1,092 yards and also rushed for 238 yards on 37 attempts. He scored 14 touchdowns for the Lightning, which finished second in the Academy League and posted a 6-5 record.

Redding caught 44 passes for 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns to help the Eagles finish 7-4.

Redding’s offensive production, which also included two rushing TDs, helped the Eagles score a school-record 361 points.

Morley collected 68 tackles, second most on the team, including 1.5 sacks.

Morley was also a valued leader for Coach Brian Barnes, who regularly praised his work ethic.