Bitter pill to swallow

Joseph Boo

IRVINE - Corona del Mar High and Woodbridge might not be in the Sea

View League together, but the rivalry is just as intense. Just witness

Friday’s football game between the two, which host Woodbridge won, 24-7.

Four late hits marred a 45-minute third quarter. CdM (1-5) Coach Dick

Freeman was most visibly upset by a late hit on CdM running back Taumata

Gray on the sideline in the third quarter. Gray caught a 9-yard flat and

was hit while he was out-of-bounds.

The game was ugly from the start for the Sea Kings. The Warriors (5-2)

were able to do whatever they wanted on offense in the first half.

Woodbridge scored on its first three drives and recovered a blocked punt

in the end zone.

Woodbridge’s Sean Harris was CdM’s main nemesis in that half. He rushed

for two touchdowns, 21 of his 52 yards and had 17 yards receiving in the

half.

On offense, CdM had 31 yards on offense and no first downs in the half.

Woodbridge held CdM tailback Grant Estabrook to 14 yards in that half,

and he was CdM’s primary offensive option.

CdM did not score until fullback Blake Hacker broke a 47-yard run a

minute into the third quarter. Seemingly tackled after a short gain,

Hacker stayed on his feet, bounced off his tackles and outran everyone

into the end zone.

Woodbridge failed to score in the second half, but it did uphold its end

in the heated rivalry. Woodbridge had two late hits and three illegal

blocks called against it.

The hit on Gray caused a commotion on the sidelines, and offsetting

personal fouls were called. CdM also had two late hits called in the

quarter.

While Woodbridge failed to score, it did effectively take away any

chances for a CdM rally with a drive that ate up almost 10 minutes and

ended with a missed field goal.

Besides the Hacker run, CdM quarterback Evan Burden was effective, going

4 for 5 with no interception.

Hacker led the Sea Kings with 58 yards rushing. He also had a solid

defensive game, with a couple of nice tackles. Estabrook ended up with a

tough 25 yards, with most of Woodbridge’s defense keying on him.