Sea Kings eye fifth straight

With the season in its latter stages, the Corona del Mar High football team has received a boost with a critical Pacific Coast League matchup against Laguna Hills.

The Sea Kings are riding high on a four-game winning streak, but with the eighth game of the season tonight and Corona del Mar without a bye week this year, any amount of energy that can be drawn out of the opposition is useful.

“They kinda got into that comfortable stage,” said Coach Dick Freeman, who added it is easy to get this group of Sea Kings into a focused stage.

The game kicks off at 7 at Mission Viejo High.

What the Hawks bring to the motivational table is a No. 4 ranking in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division, the Sea Kings are ranked No. 2. It is also a league game with a victory giving Corona del Mar a one-game lead over three of the five teams in the division.

Regardless, the Sea Kings (5-2, 1-0 in league) haven’t been ones for lackluster play.

“It’s not that tough to motivate them,” Freeman said. “When you’re winning, you have to step up every week.”

The Hawks (4-1) essentially had a bye last week. Their game against Rim of the World was postponed due to heavy fog. Laguna was coming off their first loss of the season. Freeman said it was not a typical bye week for the Hawks because they still practiced in pads in preparation for the game.

“I don’t think it gives them an advantage,” Freeman said. “They worked out all week.”

A running game for the Sea Kings has also made an appearance at an opportune time. Erik Rask, who had been battling a bruised thigh since the second game of the season, produced the most yards by a Corona del Mar rusher all year running for 121 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries (6.05 yards per carry) in a 20-7 win over Beckman.

It was the heaviest workload on offense for Rask since he carried 12 times for 96 yards against Laguna Beach in week one.

CdM rushed for 167 yards on the night against Beckman.

“Erik, he proved that we have a running game last week,” Freeman said. “It would be nice to have a 270-pound fullback or 270-pound lineman, or a couple of guys to give him some rest. He didn’t tire out though playing defense all game. He can get 20 carries, but the 120 yards depends on the blocking. To salvage the running game is some help.”

The passing game has been productive. Senior Taylor Hughes returned last week from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for two weeks and completed nine of 17 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

“He was throwing pretty well,” Freeman said, adding that he has no pain in his shoulder.

Senior receiver Hunt Rychel also saw his most playing time since a concussion kept him out of two games. Rychel caught a team-high four passes for 46 yards against Beckman. He will not return to the starting lineup this week. Ford Noe will continue to take his place.

The deep receiving core did take a hit as No. 4 receiver sophomore Max Haase suffered an ankle injury, probably a break, and will be out four to six weeks, Freeman said.