Prep football: Fall reruns

Barry Faulkner

LAGUNA BEACH - In six games since joining the Pacific Coast League

last fall, the Corona del Mar High football team has beaten all five

schools which also call the circuit home.

Now, CdM Coach Dick Freeman hopes, it’s time for seconds.

First in line for the Sea Kings (4-3, 2-0 in league), will be Laguna

Beach, which hosts the PCL contest Friday at 7 p.m.

Winners of four straight, the Sea Kings will try to take another step

toward defense of their 1999 PCL co-title against the Artists (1-6, 0-2),

who have dropped four in a row, 13 of their last 14 and eight straight

against PCL foes. A CdM win and an Estancia victory over Costa Mesa would

also clinch a CIF playoff berth for the Sea Kings.

Despite the two teams’ divergent directions, Freeman expects a tough

test from the unit coached by former 20-year CdM head man Dave Holland.

Holland’s tenure at CdM included two terms, two CIF Southern Section

titles (1988-89) and 106 victories. His legacy also includes the CdM

football weight room, named in his honor.

“I think (the Artists) are better than they were last year,” Freeman

said. “They’ve lost some close games and they could put together a

victory real soon. We just hope they put it off a week.”

The Sea Kings have put nothing off, since an 0-3 start. They have

outscored opponents, 169-84, during the four-game skein, which has

featured a dominant ground attack, improved defense, and burgeoning

confidence.

“We started the season with a lot of kids who hadn’t played varsity

football before,” Freeman said. “Now, they have some experience under

their belts and they’re used to reacting in game situations when

everything happens a lot faster.”

Few have moved faster the last four weeks than CdM senior tailback

Blake Hacker, who has amassed 867 of his 1,033 rushing yards during the

winning streak. Hacker, who for the first time did not start on defense

last week, went for a school single-game record 289 yards in a 56-27

triumph over Northwood. He now takes aim at the school single-season

standard of 1,578, set by J.R. Walz in 1993.

Sprung by the blocking excellence of tackles Dave Richardson and Steve

Shipman, guards Matt Marston and John Daley, center Adam Dunn, tight end

Tyler McClellan and fullback Matt Cooper, Hacker has scored all six of

his TDs the last four weeks.

Adding to Laguna Beach’s defensive challenge is the improved passing

of junior CdM quarterback Joe Barber.

Barber picked the Northwood secondary apart for 162 yards and three

TDs, completing 8 of 10. He has connected on 26 of 56 attempts for 400

yards and six TDs, with four interceptions.

Barber’s most dangerous target is senior speedster Matt Moore,

averaging nearly 28 yards, tops in Orange County, on his 15 receptions,

including four TDs. Moore has also emerged as a kick return threat.

Senior linebackers Taumata Grey and Nick Prosser, as well as senior

safety Eric Snell and senior cornerback Charlie Alshuler have keyed the

Sea Kings on defense. Alshuler’s five interceptions, all during the

winning streak, trail only Edison’s A.J. Martinez (seven) among county

defenders.

Laguna Beach’s leading offensive weapon is senior receiver Will

Blodgett. He has 37 catches for 667 yards and five TDs.

Junior Jason Boyd is the Artists’ leading rusher (461 yards and three

TDs on 78 carries), while junior Todd Merz triggers the passing game.

Merz, who has also kicked six field goals, has thrown for 1,017 yards and

five TDs, completing 62 of 144 with eight interceptions.

CdM won last year’s meeting, 28-7, and has won six of the last seven

to lead the series, 6-4.