Bravehearts

Patrick Laverty

Going into last week’s contest against Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar

High’s football team had been allowing 128.6 yards per game rushing.

But the Sea Kings bounced back by giving up just 75 yards to the

Breakers on the ground, a number even more impressive when you take

away the 51 yards gained on two late runs after the Corona del Mar

starters had already been removed from the game.

The defense also did a good job of pressuring Laguna’s

quarterbacks, knocking starter Alex Wilson out of the game and

forcing backup Jake Wheeler into a bad throw that was intercepted by

cornerback Wess Presson.

Leading the charge was a defensive line that is indicative of the

Sea Kings influx of talented, young players.

While defensive end Brian Dunn (6-foot-4, 192 pounds) is one of

the few seniors to start for Corona del Mar, he is joined by junior

defensive tackle Zach Wishengrad (5-11, 215) and a pair of

sophomores, defensive tackle John Fairbanks (6-4, 242) and defensive

end Matt Burgner (5-11, 186).

Amazingly, it was the first time the four players had played

together on the defensive line.

Wishengrad, formerly a linebacker, moved to defensive tackle two

weeks ago because of a lack of depth as a result of injuries. He was

starting just his second game, but had all ready made a difficult

adjustment with the position switch.

“You’re basically playing football by Braille,” Corona del Mar

Coach Dick Freeman said. “At linebacker, you’re looking and reacting.

A lineman, you’re working on feel.”

Wishengrad first impressed his coach by volunteering to play a new

position, now it’s his play that’s been impressive.

While Wishengrad received his first start against La Habra two

weeks ago, Fairbanks was forced to sit out that game because of a hip

flexor.

His return not only gives the Sea Kings another big body inside,

but it also, surprisingly, provides them with a bit of leadership.

“He actually, as a sophomore, gives us pretty good stability

inside,” Freeman said.

Dunn and Burgner has been constants for the Sea Kings at the end

positions.

Mixing the experience of Dunn with the youth of Burgner has

provided Corona del Mar with solid bookends.

Burgner in particular, has proved impressive, playing well beyond

his years.

“He does it real quietly,” Freeman said. “He’s so tenacious. He

just keeps going.”

Together, as a unit, the four defensive lineman for the Sea Kings

have proven a formidable bunch.

They will need to continue to be just that as Corona del Mar

attempts to remain atop the Pacific Coast League standings.