CdM No. 1 in CIF football preseason poll, Tars No. 8

The Corona del Mar High football program kicks off the season where it finished last season: No. 1.

The Sea Kings are ranked first in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division preseason poll. They have won the Southern Division title in each of the past two seasons.

Coach Scott Meyer, in his third year in charge of CdM, expects the Sea Kings to contend for another section crown. Last season, Meyer led CdM to a 12-2 record, 5-0 in the Pacific Coast League, the program’s first undefeated league title.

The Sea Kings have never won three straight section championships in their history. They open the season Friday against Pacifica at Davidson Field at 7 p.m.

Newport Harbor is the other Newport-Mesa team ranked in the preseason polls.

The Sailors are eighth in the Southwest Division. They are coming off a 4-1 finish in the Sunset League, the Sailors’ best record in that league since 1977.

Newport Harbor finished 7-5 and reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Coach Jeff Brinkley enters his 28th year at the helm of Newport Harbor. His Sailors kick off the season at Trabuco Hills on Sept. 6.

— David Carrillo Peñaloza