DIVISION 3: Revenge could be a factor for CdM in finals rematch vs. Grace Brethren

Leading CdM into Friday’s finals are (from left) Mark Redman, John Humphreys and Ethan Garbers. (Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

Corona del Mar’s football team has been on a mission from day one to reach the CIF Division 3 finals.

The Sea Kings are there, and now they want to complete the mission with one more victory against Grace Brethren, the team they lost to in the Division 4 finals last year 26-14.

Sunset League champion CdM (13-0) takes on Grace Brethren (12-1) in the rematch Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Newport Harbor.

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It will be CdM’s eighth appearance in the CIF finals. CdM is looking to bring home its sixth CIF title. Grace Brethren is aiming for its fifth CIF crown.

“You never know if you can get here,” said CdM Coach Dan O’Shea. “You got to play some tough teams and get lucky and be healthy and we’ve been fortunate enough this year to do just that.”

CdM gets a chance to avenge last year’s loss to Grace Brethren, but O’Shea stayed away from using the word revenge this week.

“I don’t think revenge is the right word,” he said. “I think there is a lot of energy and excitement about playing a team that you know and you played last year and they got you. There is an incredible amount of respect for that team and program. They were the deserving winner last year on that night. They out-played us for sure.”

O’Shea said Grace Brethren has very physical linemen on both sides of the ball. He said running back Josh Henderson, who also plays defense, is extremely talented. Cooper Robertson, who has 118 tackles this year, leads the defense.

CdM has been led by quarterback Ethan Garbers, receiver John Humphreys and tight end Mark Redman, who have shown qualities off the field as well.

“It’s always great and it’s rare when a few of your best players happen to be your best leaders and work ethic people,” O’Shea said. “It makes your program and your team thrive. You add to that on offense, the incredible growth of our offensive line….

“Last year on the offensive line we were young and small. We’ve grown up a little bit, or at least by CdM standards. Our offensive line has given up eight sacks in 13 games which is really good for us being able to control the line of scrimmage and then you add Bradley Schlom to that mix. He is a ridiculous talent.

“And on the defensive side of the ball, there is nothing we take more pride in than just being a no-name defense.”

The leader of the defense has been linebacker Mason Gecowets, a returning all-CIF player who has been the team’s leading tackler.

Outside linebacker/defensive end Chase Zanck and returning All-CIF player Carter Duss, are other standouts along with defensive backs cornerback Chandler Fincher, who has three interceptions the last two games and strong safety Tommy Griffin.

CdM players are excited about the rematch and thrilled that the big game is at Newport Harbor, the Sea Kings home field. Last year’s game was at Royal High.

“We have to stick together and play as a team and grind it out and know that they’re going to score and they might stop us but we have to just keep griding it out, stick together and play as a team and play for the guy next to you,” said Humphreys, who has hauled in 86 catches for 1,705 yards and 28 touchdowns.

“We’re pretty excited just to get back to the finals and it happens to be Grace Brethren again. “We’re excited, they’re a great team, we know it’s going to be a great challenge, but we’re up for it and we’re excited.”

CdM’s record-setting quarterback Garbers, who has passed for 4,342 yards and 62 touchdowns, is also looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s going to be a good game,” Garbers said. ” It’s going to be a lot of fun, we’re up to the challenge and we’re excited to be back in the finals and to play for another CIF championship

“The season has been great. We’re very fortunate going 13-0 so far and trying to make it 14. Probably the whole highlight of our whole season has been how good our defense has been playing. Hats off to them. I think the most points we’ve allowed all year is 28, which is insane. But our defense is just playing unbelievable and we’re really thankful for them.

“Hopefully we can cap it off this year with a win. It’s an honor and we’re just excited our hard work is paying off and we’re excited to be here.”

Garbers said Grace Brethren is known for a strong defense.

“They have a good defensive line and our offensive line is ready for the challenge and we’re ready to step up and we’re going to play a great game,” Garbers said.

“I think it’s going to be a four-quarter fight,” added CdM senior linebacker Mason Gecowets. “We’re ready and they’re ready and it’s just going to be a battle to the end and we’re going to play our hearts out and give it all we got.

Gecowets was a member of last year’s team, but was out with an injury (a ruptured spleen).

“I saw it on the sidelines and the loss was just brutal and we don’t want to repeat that, we’re coming with some revenge. From the opening kick-off, I’m just going to stay laser-focused and just do my job and play until the whistle blows.”

Senior tight end Mark Redman, who has 58 catches for 794 yards and 12 touchdowns, is also looking for a different ending to this season.

“Obviously, we lost last year 26-14 so the keys this year are to stay together and keep on going,” said Redman, who has also played on the defensive line. “As long as we execute and trust our OC (offensive coordinator) Kevin Hettig, we should be able to execute and hopefully get the win.

“There is definitely a revenge factor. We played up there at their place last year and now we get them at home which should be an advantage for us. But it doesn’t matter where it is. We just got to get out there and get after it and hope for the best.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com