CdM’s successful season shows with league honors

Corona del Mar High quarterback Mitch Sands was one of six Sea Kings to earn first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors after the senior led the team to a runner-up finish in league and one of the school’s best seasons.

Sands, the Newport-Mesa Dream Team Player of the Year, was joined on the first team by senior all-purpose threat Dillon Norton, senior defensive back Noah Molnar, senior tackle Will Ham, junior linebacker Alex Swigert and senior nose guard Dan DiChiro, all played vital roles to CdM winning 10 games for only the third time in the program’s history.

Sands’ arm and legs helped the Sea Kings (10-3, 3-1 in league) reach the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs for the first time since 1995.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder threw for 1,560 yards and 21 touchdowns, to only nine interceptions, and ran for eight touchdowns. The passing and rushing touchdowns are Newport-Mesa bests.

During the Sea Kings’ playoff run, Sands rushed for five touchdowns and threw for three touchdowns.

Sands set CdM’s regular-season touchdown passing record of 18.

Norton started at wide receiver and cornerback and also returned punts and kickoffs. He finished with 18 catches for 312 yards and four touchdowns.

Norton returned three kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns.

Molnar, a second-team member in 2007, showed his versatility, starting at cornerback and safety due to team injuries.

Swigert led the Sea Kings in tackles. He also ran the ball, finishing with 548 yards and five touchdowns.

DiChiro is a repeat first-team pick.

Five CdM players made the second team, including senior linebacker Dutch Lamons, followed by junior linebacker Justin Tam, senior linebacker Max Haase, junior running back J.D. Abbott and senior offensive lineman Ben Noe.

Haase is a repeat second-team selection.

— From staff reports