PHOTOS: Edison Chargers look ready for CIF playoffs after victory over CdM -

Edison’s Ashton Hurley scored twice on short passes from quarterback Parker Awad in Friday’s Sunset League game. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

Now what?

That was the question Friday night after visiting Edison collected its ninth win over the season with an overpowering 40-13 Sunset League victory over Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor High School.

First, what’s known … both teams are in the playoffs.

What’s not known … which division and who they’ll play.

The speculation is that Edison (9-1, 4-1), which lost only to Sunset League champion Los Alamitos, will be in Division 1. There is less certainty about Corona del Mar (7-3, 3-2), which could be slotted in either Division 2 or 3.

Pairings will be released by the CIF Sunday.

To see the slide show, click on the first picture:

Corona del Mar’s Cooper Hoch slides to the ground after catching a 20-yard scoring pass from quarterback David Rasor.

Edison quarterback Parker Awad takes a snap from center. Awad passed for nearly 400 yards and masterfully managed the Chargers’ offense.

CdM’s Colin Pene eludes an Edison defender on the way to a first down.

Edison’s Malachi Pierce lands on two CdM defenders after returning a punt to the end zone. The score was nullified by a holding penalty.

Edison’s Ashton Hurley’s catch at the back of the end zone was first ruled a TD, then changed by officials who said he came down out of the end zone.

Edison’s Ty Bandaruk watches a defender sail by after Bandaruk made a sprawling catch of a short pass.

Edison’s Malachi Pierce heads upfield after intercepting a pass.

Edison’s Mason York picks up a few extra yards by hurdling two Sea King defenders.

CdM’s Cooper Hoch makes a leaping catch of a 20-yard scoring pass.

Both coaches pointed out that the Edison offensive line controlled the game. From left, Logan Shill, William Emenger, Zachary Gruwell, Makai Sapian
and Nathan Gates.

Edison Coach Jeff Grady listens to the official ruling on a two-penalty play.

Corona del Mar Coach Dan O’Shea watches his defense tangle with the bigger Chargers.

The Corona del Mar Middle School cheerleaders entertained Sea King fans at halftime.

Carter Hogue powers over Corona del Mar defender Thomas Telesco to score the first of three TDs in Edison’s 40-13 win over the Sea Kings.

Edison standout Malachi gets some well-deserved conngrats from his parents, Carrie and Gregory Pierce after the game.

Corona del Mar Coach Dan O’Shea shakes hands with Edison coach Jeff Grady after the game. The two are good friends.

The matter at hand Friday night was to finish the regular season strongly, and that’s what Edison did, although it took the Chargers a while to get going.

“We had a rough week,” Charger Coach Jeff Grady said. “We were ravaged by the flu and I think that’s why we were so lethargic at the start of the game.”

Out of character, for certain, the Chargers came away empty on two point-blank scoring opportunities in the first quarter. They did score once for a 6-0 lead after one and they 12-0 midway through the second period.

Corona del Mar pulled within five with 1:39 to go until intermission when quarterback David Rasor threw a 20-yard scoring strike to standout receiver Cooper Hoch.

The Sea Kings brought their fans to life moments later by recovering an onside kick. The excitement didn’t last long, unfortunately, as Edison intercepted a pass and Carter Hogue scored on a short run on the last play of the second quarter and Edison led at the break 19-3. It was the second of three TDs Hogue scored in the game.

Playing with greater energy in the third quarter, Edison defenders quickly shut down CdM on its first drive, then zipped downfield, Hogue scoring from four yards out at 8:44 to push the Charger advantage to 26-7.

“I thought we played with more intensity in the second half,” Grady said. “That was more the way we have been playing.”

Both Grady and Corona del Mar Coach Dan O’Shea agreed that it was the Charger offensive line was the critical factor in the game.

“They’re monsters,” O’Shea said.

“It all starts up front,” Grady added. “They gave Parker (quarterback Parker Awad) plenty of time and he ran the offense well.”

Awad completed more than 70 –percent of his 40 passes for more than 390 yards and two scores, both short passes to Ashton Hurley. As noted, Hogue rushed for three scores and Don Lopez also rushed for a score.

The Charger offensive line is imposing, and experienced. Across the front Edison features seniors Nathan Gates (6-5, 275), Zachary Gruwell (5-11,255) and William Emenger (5-11, 240) and juniors Makai Sagiao (6-2, 300) and Logan Shill (6-1, 245).

Hoch scored both Corona del Mar touchdowns, pushing his season total to 18 scores.

Offensive line leads the way for Chargers

—Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone