Another rugged matchup for CdM

Ask Corona del Mar High football coach Dick Freeman, and he’ll tell you the Sea Kings were their own worst enemy in a 20-17 nonleague loss against El Toro last week.

“We definitely lost that game,” he said. “The only football team to beat us so far is us. We just need to not make so many mistakes, and I think we’ll be OK.”

That process begins tonight at 7, when CdM (1-1) faces Troy (1-0) at Laguna Beach High.

Troy comes into the game ranked No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division, and for good reason. The Warriors, who opened their season with a 34-14 victory over Brea Olinda last week, were the Freeway League champions a year ago and advanced to the Southeast Division semifinals.

Troy was 12-0 heading into the playoff loss, but one of its toughest wins last season was a 34-24 win over CdM in Week 3. The 10-point margin of victory was the second-lowest that the Warriors had all season.

“We usually compete pretty well with them,” Freeman said.

The Warriors, however, do return their share of offensive weapons. Senior running back Derrick Coleman rushed for 2,340 yards and 37 touchdowns last season, earning Freeway League MVP and Southeast Division Player of the Year honors.

Coleman, who is bound for UCLA, ran for 231 yards and three touchdowns last year against CdM, a relatively average game considering his lofty season numbers. He may run the ball even more considering the second part of last year’s running back tandem, Chris Ramirez, has graduated.

Ramirez also hurt the Sea Kings last year, when he ran for 113 yards and two scores. But Freeman said the Sea Kings’ defense this season is improved.

“I don’t know,” Freeman said, laughing, when asked what CdM could do to shut down Coleman. “You have to get to him early because he’s not a fast starter. But once he gets up a full head of steam, it gets harder.”

Troy can also pass the ball with the tandem of senior quarterback Tyler Swaney and senior receiver Joshua Swaney, who are cousins.

The quarterback spot for CdM, meanwhile, appears still open for rotation. Freeman said he plans to start senior Hunter Alder at the position tonight, but Mitch Sands will again get playing time like he did in the second half against El Toro.

“We plan to give Mitch some shots,” Freeman said. “In practice, they’re about the same. Mitch plays more defense though, so we have to think about that.”

The Sea Kings, who fell from No. 5 to No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division poll after the loss to El Toro, will likely need both quarterbacks to fare well against the Warriors. Freeman said Troy runs a 50 defense but its schemes aren’t exactly predictable.

“They always show something really different each game,” he said. “They kind of progress through the year.”