CdM clinches share of title

The vaunted Corona del Mar High football passing attack was slowed early in Friday’s Pacific Coast League game by the Northwood defense.

The Sea Kings were not fazed. They used big plays on defense and special teams to help them score points in the first quarter.

There’s a reason why Corona del Mar has now won 19 straight league games. The Sea Kings are balanced.

By the end of the game, they had a lopsided 48-7 victory at Jim Scott Stadium, clinching at least a share of their fourth straight league title.

“It’s fantastic, you know, just the opportunity to go out on top once again,” said senior receiver Peter Bush, who had both a rushing and receiving touchdown. “Four years in a row as league champs and playing with the best group of guys, it’s an incredible feeling.”

CdM (7-2, 4-0 in league) remained a game ahead of both Woodbridge and University, as the Warriors and Trojans also both won Friday night. The Sea Kings, ranked No. 3 in the CIF Southern Section Southwest Division, can clinch the title outright on Thursday, when they play last-place Irvine back at Jim Scott Stadium in the regular season finale.

“We’re excited, because I think the PCL is as competitive as it’s been across the board, certainly with Woodbridge and University for sure,” CdM Coach Dan O’Shea said. “Northwood’s played better [than it did tonight] … but man, the PCL is a handful. The coaches in this league are so good.”

CdM junior quarterback Chase Garbers is also good. Garbers completed 12 of 23 passes for 204 yards and four touchdowns on Friday night. All of the statistics came in the first half, which ended with the Sea Kings up, 38-0.

Very early on, it didn’t look like such a blowout. The Northwood (2-7, 1-3) defense was solid early, even after CdM’s Dylan Tucker took the opening kickoff, on a reverse, back 55 yards to the Northwood 35-yard line.

“I thought I was gone,” Tucker said. “I got a great block by Jack [Denning], but I got tripped up and some guy got me from the side.”

The Sea Kings eventually had a first-and-five on the Northwood 10-yard line. But three straight passes were incomplete, and CdM had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Jason Neiger to take an early 3-0 lead.

Garbers completed just four of his first 13 passes, although those included a 35-yard touchdown strike to Peter Bush. Bush broke a tackle in the middle of the field and was gone.

Defensively, however, the Sea Kings were stout all game long. Tucker provided his second big play midway through the first quarter. He cut off the Northwood receiver’s route inside and ran the interception back for a 23-yard touchdown, giving CdM a 17-0 lead with 5:22 left in the quarter.

Garbers would heat up and throw three more touchdown passes before the half was over. They included two to Billy Shaw, for five and two yards, and a 27-yard strike to sophomore Taeveon Le.

Bush provided the Sea Kings’ sixth and final touchdown while playing the next series at quarterback, taking off for a 53-yard keeper. After that, it was sophomore Spencer Hook in at quarterback.

“It was good to see some different guys score for us offensively,” O’Shea said. “Billy Shaw getting in the end zone was great, and Peter getting back there at quarterback and running one in was good. I’m not sure we were incredibly efficient throwing the ball, but I think we were good enough.”

The Sea Kings were well on their way to claiming league superiority yet again, despite a nice game from Northwood senior running back Spencer Tran, who had 19 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown. The Timberwolves used two quarterbacks, Cameron Kasey in the first half and Trevor Lawrence for much of the second half, but were unable to get much going in the passing game. Combined, they completed nine of 19 passes for 57 yards and the interception by Tucker.

“I thought that was the most fun game we ever played,” Tucker said. “I thought we really played as a unit, and I don’t know, I had the most fun with my brothers … We all clicked [on defense] and had everything under control. We got close to our potential, but we’ve still got to shoot for higher.”

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Corona del Mar 48, Northwood 7

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Nor 0 – 0 – 7 – 0 — 7

CdM 17 – 21 – 7 – 3 — 48

FIRST QUARTER

CdM – Neiger 27 FG, 9:54.

CdM – Bush 35 pass from Garbers (Neiger kick), 6:42.

CdM – Tucker 23 INT return, 5:22.

SECOND QUARTER

CdM – Shaw 5 pass from Garbers (Neiger kick), 9:51.

CdM – Le 27 pass from Garbers (Neiger kick), 8:25.

CdM – Shaw 2 pass from Garbers (Neiger kick), 5:21.

THIRD QUARTER

CdM – Bush 53 run (Neiger kick), 8:51.

Nor – Tran 1 run (Li kick), 2:10.

FOURTH QUARTER

CdM – Neiger 32 FG, 6:52.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

Nor – Tran, 19-109, 1 TD.

CdM – Moses, 6-26.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

Nor – Lawrence, 5-8-0, 53.

CdM – Garbers, 12-23-0, 206, 4 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

Nor – Bellas, 4-28.

CdM – Bush, 3-86, 1 TD.