Corona del Mar quarterback Kaleb Annett scrambles for short yardage to extend a Sea Kings drive as Yorba Linda’s cornerback Jason Escovar pursues during the third quarter Friday night. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
Corona del Mar High’s football team scored three second half touchdowns and the Sea Kings defense came up with several crucial stops to defeat Yorba Linda 28-14 in a CIF Division 4 semifinal playoff game Friday night at Newport Harbor,
The Sea Kings (8-5) avenged a loss to the Mustangs last season in the Division 3 semifinals and advance to the CIF finals for the first time since 2019 Friday against La Serna in Whittier (location to be announced). CdM won the CIF Division 3 title in 2019, defeating Grace Brethren 56-28.
The Sea Kings also won the CIF State 1A title finishing the 2019 season 16-0.
Quarterback Kaleb Annett completed 17 passes for 211 yards and three TDs to lead the Sea Kings Friday night. The senior QB has thrown for 2,433 yards and 27 touchdowns this season.
“We made some mistakes in the first half, but we continued with our game plan and executed better in the second half,” said Annett. “Our defense played lights out tonight and forced a few big turnovers.”
With the scored tied at 7-7, CdM took the second half kickoff and marched 74 yards in 10 plays to take the lead. Annett lofted a picture-perfect 14-yard TD pass to Russell Weir in the corner of the end zone to give the Sea Kings a 14-7 lead at the 7:09 mark of the third quarter.
On the ensuing possession, Yorba Linda elected to go for it on fourth-and-one at their own 30-yard line. The CdM defense stiffened and forced a fumble that cornerback Michael Lynch recovered.
“I think that defensive stop changed the momentum of the game,” Lynch added.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
Two plays after Lynch’s fumble recovery, Annett scrambled out of the pocket and drilled a 30-yard TD pass to tight end Sebastien Boydell as the Sea Kings upped their lead to 21-7. On their next possession, the Mustangs drove to the CdM 16-yard line and again went for it on fourth-and-one, but were again denied by the stubborn Sea Kings defense.
“On that fourth down play, we looked at them in the eyes as they came to the line and said ‘we want it more,’” said CdM linebacker Colin Pene. I can tell you it feels amazing to be going to the finals.”
Sea Kings corner back Brady Gadol agreed with Pene.
“Last week we were down 14 points, and even when we fell behind tonight, we stayed together.” said Gadol, who intercepted a Yorba Linda pass in the final minute of the game. “That has been the foundation of our team all season.”
The Sea Kings extended their lead to 28-7 early in the fourth quarter when running back Wyatt Lucas scored on a three-yard TD run. Lucas, Annett and Owen Sanders combined to rush for 108 yards and a touchdown.
“It was extra special for us to beat these guys tonight after they beat us in the semifinals last season,” said Weir, who caught six passes for 94 yards and a TD. “We made some key adjustments at halftime and I’m glad to going to the finals with my boys.”
The Mustangs cut the lead to 28-14 at the 8:08 mark of the fourth quarter on a 11-yard TD pass from Holden Nagin to wide receiver Jake Winners. Yorba Linda then recovered the ensuing onside kick and things got interesting. However, the Sea Kings defense rose to the occasion and stopped the Mustangs on a fourth down play at the CdM seven-yard line with under two minutes to play.
Late in the first quarter, Nagin completed a screen pass to running back Jason Escovar who rambled 42 yards for a touchdown, giving the Mustangs a 7-0 lead. The Sea Kings tied the score at 7-7 on its final possession of the first half. Annett completed a pass to Lucas who tip-toed down the sideline for a 26-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7 with 1:26 remaining in the half.
Yorba Linda cornerback Jake Lopez intercepted two passes, one in the end zone to halt Sea Kings drives in the first half.
The Mustangs were dealt a serious setback when star wide receiver Dylan Gardner was injured after being tackled after making a catch midway through the first quarter. He remained on the ground for several minutes and left the game and didn’t return.
“We were hoping we could push them around a bit, but my hat is off to them, we couldn’t run on them,” said Yorba Linda Coach Jeff Bailey. “They battled and we were hurt when Gardner left the game with a knee injury, but everybody is banged up and bruised at this time of the year. It was a season filled with adversity and I’m proud of our kids.”
“Our defense led us tonight and its one of the best defensive games I’ve seen in a long time,” said CdM Coach Kevin Hettig. “We’re the kind of team that doesn’t point fingers at each other when one side of the ball isn’t playing well. There was a bit more motivation in preparation for this game this week after they kicked our teeth in last season’s semifinals. We played disciplined football tonight.”
Nagin completed 20 passes for 250 yards and two TDs. He finishes the season with 2250 yards and 30 TD passes. Winners caught seven 71 yards to lead the Mustangs.
Notes: CDM star tight end Zach Giuliano did not play Friday due to a left knee injury. Giuliano, a junior, caught 37 passes and scored 8 TDs for the Sea Kings is done for the season after suffering a MCL injury to his left knee on the last play of CdM’s quarterfinals win over Santa Barbara last week. Senior safety De’von Short was also out of action after injuring his right foot in a game two weeks ago.
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—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
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