Risser knows defense

Corona del Mar High senior inside linebacker Preston Risser earned the Pacific Coast League Defensive MVP award in football after leading the Sea Kings to their first outright league championship in 22 years.

Risser played an instrumental role in the Sea Kings’ turnaround from 2009, when they finished winless in league. The Sea Kings in 2010 finished 10-2-1, their fourth 10-win season in the program’s history.

Risser, who finished with a team-best 110 tackles, 10 for losses, five forced fumbles, two interceptions and two sacks, helped CdM go unbeaten in league at 4-0-1 and advance to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs.

Risser is joined on the first team by senior Andrew Boehm, the Pacific Coast League Kicker of the Year, junior cornerback Cole Cottrell, senior defensive end Alex Herrera, senior nose guard Jon Metcalfe, senior offensive tackle Dan Steele and junior outside linebacker Aaron White.

Boehm converted 12 field-goal attempts, the most in the area. He made 40 extra-point kicks.

Cottrell had 12 pass break-ups, three interceptions, forced two fumbles and recovered one. He finished with 49 tackles.

Herrera produced 8.5 sacks, 79 tackles, 12 for losses, 13 hurries, two pass deflections and he recovered one fumble.

Metcalfe had 74 tackles, 11 for losses, 10 hurries, three sacks and two pass deflections.

White finished with 58 tackles, seven for losses, four sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

The Sea Kings making the second team were senior defensive tackle Stephen Ascher and linebacker David Detrick, junior tight end Matt English, junior running back Erik Fisher, senior wide receiver Brent Gray, senior safety Peter Markel and senior Clay Reinhardt, a wide receiver and running back.

Woodbridge’s Max Neser was named the Pacific Coast League MVP.

— From staff reports