Prep football: Some good medicine

Barry Faulkner

CORONA DEL MAR - Corona del Mar High football coach Dick Freeman

was gratified to have opened the Pacific Coast League season with a 35-6

triumph over Estancia Friday night.

But almost as positive as the scoreboard, was the absence of injuries

for the Sea Kings, who even welcomed the limited return of a couple

casualties who had been sidelined.

John Daley, a junior two-way standout, saw his first action since

breaking his wrist Week 3 against Newport Harbor and Tyler McClellan, who

suffered a rig cage injury in the Battle of the Bay, also saw time

against Estancia.

“If we play another 10 weeks, we may get everyone back we started the

season with,� Freeman quipped.

Freeman said Daley and McClellan saw spot duty, since his desire is to

bring those returning along slowly to avoid further setbacks.

“They should be back in the rotation more next week (Thursday against

University),� Freeman said of Daley, who had started at guard and inside

linebacker, and McClellan, who had started at tight end and defensive

end. “We’ll see how things go in practice this week.�

This week may also bring the return of injured juniors Jeff Reed

(broken collarbone against Newport) and Kris Cooper (torn knee ligament

against Westminster), though Freeman said, with a short week of

preparation for a Thursday game, it would be more realistic to not expect

either back on the field until Week 8.

“If they come back and something happens, they’d be done for the

season,� Freeman said of Reed, an outside linebacker and receiver, and

Cooper, an outside linebacker and tight end. “We’d like to be careful

enough with them that they can help us all the way through, once they

return.�

Freeman said Cooper will have an MRI today, which will clarify his

availability. Freeman, however, said Cooper may be allowed to return,

even if postseason surgery is required to repair ligament damage.

Meanwhile, Freeman had praise for the play of fill-ins Bart Welch,

Brian Dunn and Jason Kidushim.

Welch, a junior, stepped in at outside ‘backer, while Dunn, a

sophomore, played tight end. Dunn also took over the punting chores from

Dave Simon, a sophomore linebacker who quit the team last week. Dunn’s

only kick covered 35 yards.

Kidushim, who had played some defensive line, answered the call at

inside linebacker and Freeman, also the defensive coordinator, believes

continued progress by Kidushim may allow him to utilize Daley in the

future at defensive end.

Freeman said his team’s intensity early, especially on defense, helped

create the 21-0 lead from which the Sea Kings cruised to victory over the

Eagles.

“I think we may have surprised them a little by crashing our ends to

stop the dive play,� Freeman said. “We didn’t let them get their option

going, which was good.�

Though gratified by the decisive victory, Freeman said his team must

steel itself for a challenging four weeks to close out the regular

season.

“The next four (in order, University, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa and

Northwood) are all big games for us,� Freeman said.