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Pac-12 schools interested in CdM's Reinhardt

Fri, 25 May 2012 21:18:00 GMT

Pac-12 schools interested in CdM's Reinhardt

Defensive end attracting USC, Oregon and Washington among other football programs.

Corona del Mar High's Tim Reinhardt, right, has been drawing interest from Pac-12 programs. (Scott Smeltzer | Daily Pilot / May 23, 2012)

May 23, 2012 | 5:36 p.m.

Several Pacific 12 Conference football programs are looking at Corona del Mar High junior standout defensive end Tim Reinhardt, Reinhardt's father, Bill, said in an email on Wednesday.

Bill said the schools interested in Reinhardt, a 6-foot-4, 235-pounder, who can also play tight end, are Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, Washington, Washington State, Colorado, USCand Oregon.

Other schools following Reinhardt are San Diego State, University of San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada and UC Davis, Bill said.

He added many of those schools have watched and filmed his son's spring practices at CdM, the latest being Washington and Colorado State. USC plans to visit CdM within the next 10 days to check out Reinhardt, Bill said, and Oregon, the Pacific 12 Conference champion, has requested video on Reinhardt.

Last season, Reinhardt helped the Sea Kings win the CIF

Southern Section Southern Division title, the program's first section crown since 1989.

Reinhardt earned Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team, All-CIF Southern Section Southern Division and second-team All-Pacific Coast League honors after finishing with 46 tackles, 10 sacks and two fumble recoveries last season.

Reinhardt is the uncle of Katin Reinhardt, a senior basketball star at Mater Dei, who led the Monarchs to the CIF Southern Section Division 1-AA and CIF State Division I titles last season. Katin is bound for UNLV.

— David Carrillo Peñaloza

South Nominees for O.C. All-Star Game Released

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:40:00 GMT

By STEVE FRYER

OCVARSITY.COM

Six All-Orange County players are among the nominees for the South team for the Brea Lions Club Orange County North/South Prep All-Star Charity Football Game that will be played July 6 at Orange Coast College.

The All-County players nominated to the South squad: Ryan Harris and Anthony Pierce of Mission Viejo; Kyle Kelley of Woodbridge; Tyler Siudzinski of Tustin; Christian Tober of San Clemente; and John McGrory of Santa Margarita. Nominees are limited to five per school.

Final rosters will be released later this month.

Rick Gibson of Woodbridge is the coach of the South team. Villa Park’s Dusan Ancich will coach the North.

SOUTH ALL-STAR NOMINEES

ALISO NIGUEL -- Kyle Paris (6-0, 195, RB/WR/DB); , Matt Molnar (6-3, 225, TE/DE); Nick Carducci (6-1, 175, QB/DB).

BECKMAN: Jesus Alvarez (6-2, 240, OL); Cameron Biedgoly(6-3, 220, QB); Brian Brooks (5-9, 180, RB/DB);Bryan Dewey (OL/LB); James Kaprielian (6-3, 200, WR/DB); Khodadod Kia (6-0, 270, OL/DL)

BOLSA GRANDE: Manasseh Ma'alona (5-11, 286, OL); Mario Veliz (5-10, 240, DL); Elias Hernandez (6-0, 200, RB); Justin Nguyen (5-10, 175, WR).

CAPISTRANO VALLEY: James Benedix (6-0, 220, LB/RB); Calvin Steyn (6-4, 275, OL); Eddie Mendiola (6-1, 200, DL); Cody Bednar (5-10, 180, RB/DB/KR/PR/P); Michael Gordon (6-0, 205, RB/LB

CENTURY: Steven Aguilar (6-0, 235, OL/DL)

CORONA DEL MAR: Brent Lawson (5-11, 170, QB); Aaron White (6-1, 200, LB); Erik Fisher (5-9, 180, RB); Josh Giger (5-9, 150, WR); Cole Cottrell (5-10, 160, DB)

COSTA MESA: Mario Smith (5-10, 175, RB); Jordan Walden (6-1, 170, WR/DB); Nathan Alvis (6-0, 175, QB); Trace Curet (6-1, 170, WR); Charles Mankin (6-4, 285, OL)

DANA HILLS: Tyler Wilemon (6-5, 285, OL); Hunter Briggs (6-2, 205, WR); Shane Scambray (6-4, 190, QB); Michael Brown (6-0, 250, OL); Forrest Anderson (6-1, 185, OL)

EDISON: Chase Favreau (6-2, 190, QB); Devon Brown (6-0, 275, DL); Alex Kircher (6-4, 260, OL); Troy Beljeu (5-10, 179, WR); Bryce Campbell (6-0, 200, LB)

EL TORO: Brian Moreen (6-1, 225, LB); Avery Bean (5-10, 265, DL); Landon West (5-11, 160, DB)

ESTANCIA: Andy Ugalde (6-0, 190, DL); Alipa Peters (6-2, 285, DL); Zach Bateman (6-6, 305, OL)

FOOTHILL: Jake Dupre (5-7, 165, WR); Noah Stillman(6-0, 170, WR/DB); Austin Anderson (5-10, 215, LB); Andrew Fink (6-1, 200, LB/DL)

FOUNTAIN VALLEY: Sean Myers (5-8, 155, WR/DB); Cristian Calvillo (5-8, 160, RB/DB); Phillip Choi (6-0, 205, LB)

GODINEZ: Andrew Espinoza (6-2, 230, DL); Alex Hernandez (5-9, 180, PK/DB)

HUNTINGTON BEACH: Mike Chislock (6-4, 200, QB); Ramon Vargas (6-3, 185, WR/DB); Zach Hadlock (6-1, 200, LB/DB); Jack Rulon (6-0, 260, OL/DL); Austin Simpkins (5-10, 185, WR); Cameron Trentini (6-0, 230, LB)

IRVINE: Richie Caceres (5-9, 145, WR/DB); Kevin Torres (5-4, 170, RB/LB); Matt Canlas (5-8, 180, LB)

JSERRA: Jake Hall (6-5, 205, QB); Jonavaughn Williams (6-1, 215, WR/DB)

LAGUNA HILLS: Miles Gastil (6-3, 225, LB/TE); Alex Salera (5-6, 182, RB); Connor Landberg (6-3, 194, WR/DB); Brady Runyon (K/P)

LA QUINTA: Darren Nguyen (6-3, 185, WR/DB)

LOS AMIGOS: Danny Hernandez (6-2, 200, QB); Robert Bonilla (5-11, 220, OL/LB)

MATER DEI: Rick Ortiz (6-2, 230, TE/LB); Josh Cook (6-4, 220, TE); Joseph Campos (5-11, 210, RB/LB); Nicholas O'Toole (6-4, 220, K/P); Anthony Topete (6-1, 230, LB/DL)

MARINA: Alex Waked (5-11, 185, RB/DB); Todd Phillips (6-0, 185, OL/DL)

MISSION VIEJO: Anthony Pierce (5-9, 170, DB); Ryan Harris (5-11, 210, LB); Austin Reuland (6-0, 210, WR);Buzzy Yokoyama (5-11, 210, RB); Doug Hanson (6-4, 280, OL)

NEWPORT HARBOR: Titus Hasson (6-1, 198, RB/DB); Steve Michaelsen (6-4, 240, DL); Cory Cablay (5-9, 175, WR/DB); Cole Blower (5-10, 185, QB)

NORTHWOOD: Ricky Bautista (6-0, 185, QB); Alex King (6-2, 215, TE/LB); Tyler Zorn (6-3, 195, WR)

OCEAN VIEW: Timmy Robinson (6-1, 225, QB/RB/LB); Ben Sumner (6-3, 245, OL/DL)

SADDLEBACK VALLEY CHRISTIAN: Curran John (5-9, 170, RB)

SAN CLEMENTE: Christian Tober (5-10, 180, WR/DB); Mike Elespuru (6-0, 190, RB); Chad Foster (5-11, 210, RB/LB); Connor O’Brien (6-0, 265, OL); Chris French (6-4, 250, TE); Julian Perry (5-11, 220, RB/DL)

SANTA ANA VALLEY: James Mohr (6-0, 250, OL/DL); Cesar Hernandez (RB/LB); Vince Aranda (6-0, 180, WR)

SANTA MARGARITA: Mack Pierson (5-10, 210, DL); Cole Luther (6-1, 295, OL); Matt Andersen (6-0, 215, LB); John McGrory (6-3, 175, K/P)

SEGERSTROM: Gabriel Roa (6-2, 210, WR/LB); Daniel Vasquez (LB); Robert Sevilla (DB)

ST. MICHAEL’S PREP: Marco Saglietto (5-8, 175, DL)

TESORO: Blake Rodgers (6-3, 225, RB/LB); Mike McQueen (5-11, 175, WR/DB); Trevor Peralta (6-1, 185, WR/DB); Alejandro Malfavon (6-3, 285, OL); Kyle Woolbright (6-2, 2-5, WR/DB)

TUSTIN: Michale Lilly (5-8, 150, WR/DB); Lomitusi Sasi (6-2, 275, OL/DL); Lopeti Tuipulotu (6-0, 255, OL/DL);Tevita Pauu (5-9, 240, TE/RB/DL); Tyler Siudzinski (5-10, 185, RB)

TRABUCO HILLS: Mathew Kirkland (5-11, 170, WR/DB); Braden Ballantyne (6-1, 175, WR/DB); Michael Talafus (6-3, 270, OL/DL); Garret Hartman (5-10, 185, RB/DB); Jonathan Newsom (6-1, 185, QB); Mitchell Simonsen (5-9, 190, RB/LB)

UNIVERSITY: Sena Akbarpour (6-2, 285, OL/DL); Tyler Stanek (6-3, 185, WR/K/P); Ryan Kuo (RB); Mark Krant (WR/DB); Colby Mazzuca (OL)

WESTMINSTER: Andrew Nguyen (5-6, 150, WR/DB); Edward Olivo (5-11, 165 WR/DB); Dominic Pendergrass(5-11, 200 QB)

WOODBRIDGE: Kyle Kelley (6-3, 215, TE/DL); Derek Calderon (5-9, 150, RB)

http://www.ocvarsity.com/sports/south-31739-county-nominees.html

Pacific Coast League Leaving Southern Division

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:35:00 GMT

By STEVE FRYER

OCVARSITY.COM

The Golden West League’s appeal to have the Pacific Coast League removed from the Southern Division for football playoffs was approved by an appeals panel today at the CIF-Southern Section office.

CIF-SS spokesman Thom Simmons said CIF-SS assistant commissioner Glen Martinez, in charge of the section’s management of football, now has to produce playoff groupings for football different from the ones he had created.

In the 2011 Southern Division playoffs, the two finalists were PCL teams, Beckman and Corona del Mar. In 2010, three of the four semifinalists were PCL teams.

Where does the PCL go for football, now? The Southwest Division, for which it looked like the Sunset League was headed? And does this mean the Sunset stays in the Pac-5 Division so the PCL can go to the Southwest? Does the Southern Division get a replacement for the PCL, or will the Southern Division be a four-league (Garden Grove, Golden West, Orange and Orange Coast) division?

Southwest Division league representatives are to meet at Brea Olinda HS on Thursday to discuss their next move.

It looks like nothing will be decided until the April 26 CIF-SS Council meeting.

http://www.ocvarsity.com/sports/league-31731-leaving-pacific.html

CdM Captures Southern Title with Dramatic Finish

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 21:21:00 GMT

By DAN ALBANO

OCVARSITY.COM

COSTA MESA - Corona del Mar earned a measure of revenge Friday night, but the Sea Kings instead soaked up the thrill of a dramatic victory in the CIF-SS Southern Division football final.

A swarm of Sea Kings stopped Beckman standout running back Jeff Kim on a 2-point conversion run with seven seconds left to preserve a 14-13 victory at Orange Coast College.

Second-seeded Corona del Mar (12-2) recovered the ensuing onside kickoff and avenged a 42-37 loss to the top-seeded Patriots (11-3) in the Pacific Coast League.

“That wasn’t about revenge,” Corona del Mar first-year coach Scott Meyer said. “It was about our guys winning a championship.”

Corona del Mar claimed its first Southern Section title since its consecutive Division VI titles in 1988-89.

And ironically, Beckman lost in the Southern Division final for the second consecutive season on a late 2-point conversion.

Last season, Garden Grove edged Beckman in the CIF Southern final, 31-30, on a 2-point conversion run by Josh Webb with 1:27 left.

This time, Beckman’s faithful were chanting “Two! Two! Two!” after wide receiver James Kaprielian caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cameron Biedgoly with seven seconds left, cutting the Sea Kings’ lead to 14-13.

“They didn’t want a tie. They wanted a win,” Beckman coach Ken Mushinskie said of his team. “Corona del Mar played great on that last play.”

Biedgoly drove Beckman 62 yards in the final 1:58 for Kaprielian’s score. Before the 2-point conversion play, it appeared as if Beckman might have been called for delay of game, but Corona del Mar was charged a timeout.

Corona del Mar’s defense also came up with a big stop on a fourth-and-5 from its 9 with 5:32 left in the fourth quarter. Defensive back Cole Cottrell tackled Kim for no gain on the Patriots’ run from the double-wing formation.

“Our defense stepped up big time,” Corona del Mar running back Erik Fisher said.

Corona del Mar took a 14-7 lead into the fourth quarter after quarterback Brent Lawson tossed a 61-yard touchdown pass to Josh Giger with 6:15 left in the third quarter. Lawson finished 8 of 11 for 119 yards and also ran for 67 yards.

In a play that loomed large in the finals seconds, Corona del Mar missed a chance to open 10-point lead when it failed on a 39-yard field goal early in the fourth.

Beckman scored on the opening possession of the second half to knot the score, 7-7. Biedgoly scored on a 1-yard run with 8:43 left to cap a 78-yard drive.

Corona del Mar led, 7-0, at halftime thanks to a 2-yard touchdown pass from Lawson to wide receiver Troy Reese with four seconds left in the first half. Grant Garrett converted the extra point.

Lawson rolled to his right before tossing his 26th touchdown pass, capping an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive. The trek nearly took all of the final five minutes of the second quarter.

A 41-yard connection from Lawson to wideout Chris Johnstone sparked the drive, moving the ball to the Beckman 16. Johnstone, part of a four-receiver formation on the first-down play, nearly scored but was tackled by safety Elijah Steen.

Reese drew pass interference penalties on the ensuing third down from the Beckman 14 and on a third-and-goal from the 4. The latter set up Lawson’s touchdown pass on a first-and-goal at the 2 with 10 seconds left.

The excitement in the closing seconds didn’t stop with score. Corona del Mar’s John Swigert recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the Beckman 44 and returned the ball about 25 yards before being knocked out of bounds.

Each team committed two turnovers.

Corona del Mar had five fumbles overall but recovered three of the loose balls.

Corona del Mar outgained Beckman, 248-201. Kim had 80 yards on 14 carries.

“We weren’t really thinking about (revenge),” said Fisher, who rushed for 70 yards on 22 carries. “We were just thinking about getting a win.”

http://www.ocvarsity.com/sports/mar-30009-coast-victory.html

Meyer assembles staff

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:49:00 GMT

Corona del Mar's new coach keeps Wilbanks and Harrison; O'Shea highlights additions.

CdM to name Meyer as football coach

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:24:00 GMT

David Carrillo Peñaloza
9:37 am, Mar 31st, 2011

Scott Meyer said Corona del Mar High will introduce him as the new head football coach this afternoon on campus.

Meyer, who was an assistant coach at Long Beach Wilson last season, was the head coach at Long Beach Jordan from 2004-09. In his fifth year at the helm, he turned a struggling Long Beach Jordan program into a competitive one in the tough Moore League.

Meyer, who in 2008 led the Panthers to the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs, their only postseason appearance under Meyer, takes over a CdM program that has reached the Southern Division semifinals twice in the past three seasons.

Meyer went 21-39-1 overall and 11-25 in league. Meyer’s best season was three years ago, when he guided Long Beach Jordan to a record of 7-4, 4-2 in league, a share of second place in league, and the Pac-5 Division playoffs, considered the toughest in the state.

Meyer replaces Jason Hitchens, who stepped down in January after three seasons because he said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

In his final season, Hitchens helped the Sea Kings go unbeaten in Pacific Coast League play, resulting in the program’s first outright league crown in 22 years. Hitchens fell short of getting CdM (10-2-1, 4-0-1 in league) past the semifinals, where the Sea Kings lost to Beckman, 24-3.

Hitchens finished with a 24-11-1 overall record and twice posted 10-win seasons.

The CdM job will be Meyer’s second as a varsity head coach. He served six years as an assistant at Lakewood, four at Long Beach Wilson and one at St. Anthony of Long Beach.

Last season, Meyer joined Long Beach Wilson as an assistant because his son, Nick, was a freshman at the school and played football. As the defensive coordinator, Meyer helped the Bruins qualify for the Pac-5 Division playoffs, where they lost to top-seeded Mission Viejo, 63-34, in the first round.

http://theocnow.com/2011/03/31/cdm-to-name-meyer-as-football-coach/

CDM Football Press Release

All League 2010

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 20:45:00 GMT

Defensive Player of the Year
Preston Risser

Offense - 1st Team
Dan Steele

Defense - 1st Team
Alex Herrera
Jonny Metcalfe
Preston Risser
Aaron White
Cole Cottrell

Kicker - 1st Team
Andrew Boehm

Offense - 2nd Team
Brent Gray
Clay Reinhardt
Erik Fisher
Matt English

Defense - 2nd Team
Dave Detrick
Peter Markel
Stephen Ascher

CdM's title shot denied

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:07:00 GMT

Sea Kings eliminated after Beckman takes control in second half to advance to Southern Division final.
By David Carrillo Peñaloza, david.carrillo@latimes.com
December 4, 2010 | 11:02 p.m.

TUSTIN — No coach wants to face a familiar strong opponent from their league twice in a span of four games. When that second game is in the playoffs, after that foe sneaked its way into the postseason, it makes it that much more difficult.

Jason Hitchens was in that predicament as coach of the Corona del Mar High football team on Saturday night. The goal was to reach the 14th game of the season.

The Sea Kings were stopped one game short by Beckman.

The season ended on the unlucky No. 13 as an at-large entry upset second-seeded CdM, 24-3, in the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs at Tustin High. The trip to the semis was the Sea Kings' second in the last three years under Hitchens.

It was understandable why Hitchens looked disappointed after his Pacific Coast League champion Sea Kings lost to the Patriots, the fifth-place team in league.

"You're so close you can taste it," Hitchens said of advancing to the section championship game.

"[The Patriots] went from being done with their season to a coin toss [helping them receive a playoff at-large entry] and they're in the finals."

Beckman will make its section final debut after avenging a 17-15 loss to CdM on the same field in the regular-season finale.

Corona del Mar's Aaron White (13) intercepts a pass intended for Beckman's Andrew Flores during Saturday's CIF semifinal game at Tustin High School. (Kent Treptow / Daily Pilot)

The Patriots (8-5) used a stout defensive effort and surprising strong passing performance from quarterback Cameron Biedgoly to end the Sea Kings' eight-game unbeaten streak.

A season-low three points was not enough for CdM (10-2-1) to return to a section finale for the first time in 21 years.

"I don't think we played really well," said Hitchens, whose offense managed only 131 yards and turned the ball over twice. "It makes it really difficult to win a football game when you can't put points on the [scoreboard].

"The defense was on the field a lot again like we were the first time around [against Beckman], but at least the first time around we were able to put some points on the board."

The Patriots face top-seeded Garden Grove (12-1) in the championship game next Friday, most likely at Orange Coast College. The Argonauts advanced with a 35-21 semifinal victory against Northwood Friday.

Biedgoly, who emerged as the starting quarterback in October, led the way for Beckman. He threw for 261 yards, completing 17 of 27 passes, a handful going for first downs on critical third-and-long situations.

Biedgoly iced the game late with a 20-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-six, giving the Patriots a 17-3 lead. Running back Jeff Kim finished with 95 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries.

Two penalties on CdM killed its opening drive and aided Beckman's first possession. The second penalty did not end up costing CdM.

The defense made a stand after the Patriots marched 63 yards to CdM's two in 13 plays. Two false starts and a pass going for minus two yards pushed Beckman's offense back.

Faced with a fourth-and-goal near the 15-yard line, the Patriots elected to attempt a 31-yard field goal. The ball never reached Brian Traut's right foot.

The placeholder mishandled the snap. He then tried to run left with the ball, only to be dropped by a swarm of CdM defenders for an eight-yard loss.

The Sea Kings took advantage of Beckman's missed opportunity to put points on the board. The Sea Kings immediately put together an impressive drive of their own.

In less than three minutes, CdM covered 78 yards in 10 plays, setting up a 24-yard field-goal try by Andrew Boehm. The senior converted and the Sea Kings took a 3-0 lead six seconds into the second quarter.

The CdM advantage was short lived, as Beckman went on to score the game's next 24 points.

Beckman 24, Corona del Mar 3

SCORE BY QUARTERS

CdM 0 – 3 – 0 – 0 — 3

Beckman 0 – 7 – 0 – 17 — 24

SECOND QUARTER

CdM – Boehm FG 24, 11:54.

Beck – Kim 3 run (Traut), 6:52.

FOURTH QUARTER

Beck – Traut FG 24, 10:02.

Beck – Biedgoly 20 run (Traut kick), 4:53.

Beck – Rivera 57 run (Traut kick), :46.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

CdM – Fisher, 16-36.

Beck – Kim, 27-95, 1 TD.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

CdM – Gardner, 9-18-1, 107.

Beck – Biedgoly, 17-27-1, 261.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

CdM – Gray, 2-37.

Beck – Flores, 4-92.

http://www.dailypilot.com/sports/tn-dpt-1205-spcdmfootball-20101204,0,1231356.story

Trip to final on the line

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:17:00 GMT

No. 2-seeded Corona del Mar travels to play against Beckman at Tustin High in CIF Southern Division semifinals tonight at 7.

By David Carrillo Peñaloza, david.carrillo@latimes.com
December 3, 2010 | 5:39 p.m.

Corona del Mar High's Clay Reinhardt is a key player for the Sea Kings. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

Act Two between Corona del Mar High and Beckman takes place Saturday night at 7.

The location is the same, Tustin High. The Sea Kings are hoping for a similar result to the first road football game against the Patriots.

Much more is at stake this time around. The winner advances to the CIF Southern Section Southern Division championship game and will play against top-seeded Garden Grove. The Argonauts beat Northwood, 35-21, in the other semifinal Friday night.

It has been 21 years since the Sea Kings last appeared in a section title game. Beckman is not even 21 years old, so it is understandable why the school that opened in 2004 has never made it to the big game.

The Sea Kings (10-1-1) want to keep it that way.

Expect the second matchup between these two Pacific Coast League teams to come down to the wire again. The Sea Kings barely held on to a 17-15 victory against Beckman in the regular-season finale, which clinched their first outright league crown in 22 years.

The Patriots (7-5) almost tied the game with 53 seconds left, shortly after a 51-yard touchdown pass on fourth down cut the Sea Kings' lead to two points. A pass on a two-point conversion attempt slipped off the fingertips of an intended receiver, allowing the Sea Kings to avoid their second tie in league.

No team has been able to knock off CdM in its last eight games. Two teams that nearly ended the Sea Kings' unbeaten streak are Beckman and Northwood, which was the third Pacific Coast League team reaching the semis.

Both Northwood and Beckman rallied late against CdM. The Sea Kings opened league play by escaping with a 29-29 tie against the Timberwolves and then they closed out league by edging the Patriots.

Beating a strong team twice in a year is always a tough task. The Sea Kings own the series against the Patriots at 5-1, the only loss to Beckman was last season, when CdM could not beat anyone in league.

Despite the advantage, CdM Coach Jason Hitchens said he preferred to face a different team in the semis. Hitchens' second trip to this round in the last three years did not work out that way when Beckman defeated Loara, 59-42, in the quarterfinals last week.

The Patriots have scored 115 points in their two playoff games, the highest total of any team in the Southern Division bracket. That is superb offensive production out of an at-large entry into the playoffs.

The Patriots, who placed fifth in league, are one victory away from making history. On the ground is how they plan to move on to the championship.

Jeff Kim is Beckman's featured tailback. The junior is coming off a 315-yard, three-touchdown rushing performance.

Whereas Beckman relies heavily on the run, CdM is more balanced. Quarterback Mitch Gardner provides a threat through the air and Erik Fisher is solid running and catching the ball out of the backfield.

Gardner threw for 270 yards and three touchdowns last week in the Sea Kings' 35-0 quarterfinal win against Anaheim. The senior expects Clay Reinhardt, a wide receiver and running back, to play a larger role in the offense this week.

Hitchens said he sat Reinhardt in the first half against Anaheim because he suffered a mild concussion in the first round of the playoffs. The Sea Kings are going to need Reinhardt if the semifinal becomes a shootout.

Only one team has put up more than 30 points on CdM's stingy defense. When it happened, the Sea Kings suffered their only setback, a 35-13 loss to Back Bay rival Newport Harbor on Sept 24. The Sea Kings regrouped and they are now one victory away from reaching 11 for the season.

The last time CdM won 11 games in a season it went on to claim a section title in 1989.
http://www.dailypilot.com/sports/tn-dpt-1204-cdmpre-20101203,0,5600302.story

Corona del Mar's Risser spearheads stingy defense

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:35:00 GMT

NEWPORT BEACH – Preston Risser grew up playing soccer, basketball and baseball.

Whatever sport was in season, that's what Risser would play -- and he was good at all of them.

"He was playing all those three sports and he was only 10 years old," Risser's father, Rick, said. "Dads would come up and say, 'Hey, Preston, what's your favorite sport?' And it was always, 'I love football.' I was like, 'Timeout. It can't be football yet, because you've never played the sport.' "

Once Risser suited up for the Seahawks in Pop Warner, he knew he wanted to play defense.

"When I got the pads on, it was all defense from there," Risser said. "I don't like running routes and getting hit. I like going after the guys and making plays. I don't have much finesse. I'm just a straight-ahead player."

He's been making a lot of plays for Corona del Mar High's football team this season. Risser and his teammates have shut down teams with their stellar defensive play to help the Sea Kings reach the CIF-SS Southern Division semifinals. They will play Beckman -- a Pacific Coast League rival -- at 7 p.m. Saturday at Tustin High.

Football is in Risser's blood. His father, Rick, and uncles, Randy and Royce, played at Los Altos High of Hacienda Heights and in college.

"It was part of our family," Rick said. "I played football in college and my two brothers played football in college, so probably as he grew up and saw some of the conversations we had about football and watching football on Saturday and all weekend we're watching college and pro football, so he just gravitated toward it."

Rick's older brother, Randy, played for Bill Walsh at Stanford. Rick and his younger brother, Royce, went on to play in the SEC at Vanderbilt.

"During my time, we played at Anaheim Stadium in the last AAAA championship (in 1976) against Fontana and I was still a freshman at that time," Rick said. "My older brother played in that game and we beat Fontana. The next year they stopped the AAAA, AAA and AA thing and went to the conference thing and we went into the Big-Five Conference, which was like the Pac-5. We played St. Paul in Anaheim Stadium. We won back-to-back championships, so it was really fun."

Rick and Randy were wide receivers in high school, but Royce played linebacker.

"He (Royce) was the one, I guess, if you were going to draw some comparisons for Preston, it was my youngest brother," Rick said. "He was the slowest of us, which Preston is not that fast. He (Preston) finds a way to find the ball. They all do on defense."

Risser wasn't even born when Corona del Mar made its last trip to the finals, winning back-to-back championships from 1988-89.

Corona del Mar and Beckman met in the regular-season finale and the Sea Kings pulled out a 17-15 victory. Corona del Mar's offense was struggling, but the defense held Beckman to 73 rushing yards. Beckman has since exploded for 898 rushing yards, 12 rushing TDs and 115 points in two playoff victories.

"Defensively, we had an awesome game," Risser said of the Beckman game. "We got put in some rough situations. That was the game where the defensive guys were like, 'Hey, let's be happy we're on the field.' Don't be, 'Ahh, we gotta go back on the field. Let's be excited to be on the field.' We held it together and played a great game. I was so tired after that game. That was a long game, but it was such a fun game."

Corona del Mar's defense isn't loaded with incredible size or blue-chip prospects, but that doesn't stop them. Risser, who is a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, has 102 tackles, four forced fumbles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions and a sack. There's Jon Metcalfe, Stephen Ascher and Alex Herrera on the defensive line. David Detrick and Aaron White join Risser at linebacker. Cole Cottrell and Austin Jones are the shut-down cornerbacks. Free safety Pete Markel is always roaming and making big hits.

"Preston has a very high football IQ -- he is like having another coach on the field," Sea Kings coach Jason Hitchens said. "I look at him as being the 'eye of the hurricane' -- there can be chaos all around him and he will be the calm. He is the backbone of our defense. We do not have any superstars, just a bunch of blue-collar players that work extremely hard and believe in themselves as well each other, a true team. He is some of the glue that holds us together."

Risser is one of 25 seniors that have been together since their freshmen year.

"We're all super close and I think that's helped a lot," Risser said. "We've all worked real hard in the offseason. I think that's what's paid off."

http://www.ocvarsity.com/articles/risser-24092-football-played.html

White starting again for Sea Kings

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:16:00 GMT

Junior outside linebacker regained starting job and has helped Corona del Mar reach CIF Southern Division semifinals.

By David Carrillo Peñaloza, david.carrillo@latimes.com
December 2, 2010 | 10:08 p.m.

Corona del Mar High's Aaron White is the Daily Pilot High School Football Player of the Week. (Scott Smeltzer / Huntington Beach Independent)

Each Monday, Aaron White lined up on the football field with his Corona del Mar High teammates. They ran 40-yard dashes 14 times during practice.

Fourteen represented the number of games the Sea Kings aimed to play this season. The starters bought into the mission, except for one returning starter at the beginning of the year.

White eyed another season in a different sport. Instead of knocking heads on the field, the 6-foot, 195-pound junior thought about hitting a baseball.

"I wasn't going out 100%," White admitted. "I wasn't really there."

Midway through the goal of 14 games, it hit White that the Sea Kings might be on to a special season. Seven games in, CdM had only one loss.

White played a little role, if none at all, to the success. He was a sparring partner for the offense during practice.

Leading up to games, White was on the defensive scout team. The job entailed for White to help the starting offensive unit prepare for the next opponent.

Every week, Scott Dodge, an assistant defensive coach, told White where he really belonged.

"He'd tell me, 'You've got to step it up. We both know you could be out there,' " White said.

"Last year I started, and that just added salt to injury, to not come out this year and start."

Seeing everyone else around him happy to be part of a winning program, White wanted in.

In order for White to join the party, he had to refocus and challenge himself. He knew he had the abilities to start because he did as a sophomore.

White had to prove it. The shot came in the eighth game of the season. A lot was on the line, the Sea Kings' unbeaten Pacific Coast League record, their league title hopes.

In the second half against Woodbridge on Oct. 29, a fired up White said he stepped onto the field. He now had to the make the most of the opportunity.

"I knew I had to hit someone," said White, adding that he wound up leading the team in tackles in the Sea Kings' 35-24 victory against Woodbridge.

The performance led to more playing time for White the following week. He said he earned the defensive player of the game award after CdM beat University, 31-3.

White has been punishing running backs and quarterbacks ever since. The defense has turned it up a notch since White worked his way back into the lineup.

With White leading the way, the Sea Kings recorded their first shutout of the season last week, when CdM beat Anaheim, 35-0, in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs.

White delivered his best outing of the year, finishing with a half dozen tackles and two sacks. He is clearly onboard now at CdM, which is one victory away from reaching that 14th game of the year.

Second-seeded CdM (10-1-1) plays league foe Beckman (7-5) in the semifinals at Tustin High on Saturday at 7 p.m. White remembers the last time the Sea Kings and Patriots met on the same field.

The Sea Kings won the regular-season finale between these teams, 17-15. The game marked White's second start of the year and CdM's first outright league crown in 22 years.

"We just remember it was a close game, a hard-hitting battle," White said. "We just wanted to come back and do it again."

The same can be said for White, who is thankful to be back on the field and starting for a team that is close to playing in CdM's first section title game since 1989. White is hoping he can run those 14 40-yard dashes come Monday.

http://www.dailypilot.com/sports/tn-dpt-1203-white-20101202,0,50411.story

Sea Kings on to semis

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:06:00 GMT

CdM uses shutout to push past Anaheim in CIF Southern Section Southern Division quarterfinal Friday.
By David Carrillo Peñaloza, david.carrillo@latimes.com
November 26, 2010 | 11:04 p.m.

Corona del Mar's Peter Markel, top, hits Anaheim punter Justin Martinez, causing a fumble that was recovered by the Sea Kings, during Friday's CIF playoff game at Jim Scott Stadium. (Kent Treptow / Daily Pilot)

COSTA MESA — Corona del Mar High quarterback Mitch Gardner knew on Friday that he might not have one of his top targets in Clay Reinhardt.

The senior decided to spread the ball around and it worked in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs.

Gardner turned in his best performance of the year, throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns, and rushing for a touchdown to lead second-seeded CdM to a 35-0 rout of Anaheim at Estancia High.

The Sea Kings (10-1-1) advanced to the semifinals for the second time in three years. The coach responsible for another CdM run this late in the season is Jason Hitchens.

When asked which team he would like to face next week, Loara or Pacific Coast League rival Beckman, Hitchens did not hesitate answering.

"Just from the sheer fact that I'd like to play somebody different, I'd rather play Loara," Hitchens said. "The goal is to get [to the championship game]. We want to get over this last little hurdle and get into that 14th game."

Hitchens must lead CdM past Beckman for a second time this season in order for CdM to make its first section final appearance in 21 years.

The Patriots defeated Loara, 59-42, setting up a Pacific Coast League semifinal showdown. The Sea Kings and the Patriots are two of three teams from the league reaching the semifinals. The other is Northwood, which plays top-seeded Garden Grove next.

Gardner is more than OK with a matchup against Beckman (7-5) for a shot at a title.

"We know that we can beat Beckman," Gardner said.

The Sea Kings got past the Patriots, 17-15, in the league finale, allowing CdM to claim its first outright league title since 1988. The game was not one of Gardner's best, as he finished below 100 yards passing and he was picked off three times.

Gardner did not turn the ball over against Anaheim (7-5). The Sea Kings are in for a battle next week, much more than they were against a second-place team from the Orange League.

Gardner got CdM off to a rousing start, even though he did not have Reinhardt on the field in the first half because Hitchens said he decided to hold the senior out because he suffered a concussion last week.

Gardner completed his first five passes during a 72-yard scoring drive. Brent Gray, Brent Lawson and Josh Giger caught passes. Giger hauled in the biggest one, an 18-yard touchdown strike over the middle.

The middle of the field was open all night and Gardner took advantage of Anaheim's Cover 2 defense. He connected with five receivers throughout, Giger finished with the most receptions (five) and yards (72).

Gardner's longest touchdown was a 46-yard pass to Fisher late in the third quarter. Gardner hit Fisher in stride near the opponent's 25-yard line and the junior raced into the end zone, giving CdM a 28-0 lead.

When Hitchens decided to play Reinhardt in the second half, Gardner made sure the two hooked up. Gardner found Reinhardt wide open for a nine-yard touchdown pass in the fourth.

"We felt really confident," said Gardner, who completed 18 of 26 passes.

Handling the ball became an issue for the Colonists. They fumbled a handful of times. The punter mishandled the snap twice and the quarterback lost the ball.

The mishaps gave CdM great field position to work with each time. The offense took advantage of one of the turnovers midway through the second quarter.

After Fisher gave CdM a 14-0 lead with an 11-yard run, CdM's defense gave the offense the ball right back. Anaheim quarterback Anthony Covarrubias played a roll.

The left-handed junior rolled to his right, but he lost the ball. Jon Metcalfe was there to pounce on the ball on Anaheim's 25-yard line for CdM.

Corona del Mar 35, Anaheim 0

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Anaheim 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 — 0

CdM 7 – 14 – 14 – 0 — 35

FIRST QUARTER

CdM – Giger 18 pass from Gardner (Boehm kick), 8:36.

SECOND QUARTER

CdM – Fisher 11 run (Boehm kick), 7:28.

CdM – Gardner 1 run (Boehm kick), 5:24.

THIRD QUARTER

CdM – Fisher 46 pass from Gardner (Boehm kick), 4:57.

CdM – Reinhardt 9 pass from Gardner (Boehm kick), 3:06.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

A – Rosales, 10-31.

CdM – Fisher, 19-74, 1 TD.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

A – Covarrubias, 1-8-0, 5.

CdM – Gardner, 17-26-0, 270, 3 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

A – Edwin, 1-11.

CdM – Giger, 5-72, 1 TD.
http://www.dailypilot.com/sports/tn-dpt-1127-spcdmfootball-20101126,0,6267406,full.story

Gray skies have cleared

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 05:52:00 GMT

CdM senior receiver did not play football the past two years, but he's helped the Sea Kings this season.
By Steve Virgen, steve.virgen@latimes.com
November 26, 2010 | 4:59 p.m.

Corona del Mar High senior receiver Brent Gray is the Daily Pilot High School Football Player of the Week. (Kent Treptow / Daily Pilot)

For the past two years, life seemed so simple, and fun for Brent Gray. But something was missing.

Before this year, many knew Gray for his speed on the track. He was seen during the spring running for Corona del Mar High. But for Gray something was missing.

He wanted to rejoin his buddies he played football with as freshmen. Back then they won the Pacific Coast League title.

How fun would it be to play football again, he thought. His friends told him how great they could become again. Gray quickly ran back to football.

Now, he's the Sea Kings' top receiver. The senior is one of the key players for CdM, which plays against Anaheim in a CIF Southern Section Southern Division quarterfinal game Friday night at 7 at Estancia High.

Gray helped CdM (9-1-1) advance past the first round last week. He caught six passes from his friend and quarterback Mitch Gardner. Gray turned those receptions into 112 yards and a touchdown in the Sea Kings' 21-12 victory over Ocean View.

"You're always a bit skeptical when a kid comes out for football that hasn't before," CdM Coach Jason Hitchens said. "You don't know if they're able to handle the grind, the two-a-days. A lot of the kids can't acclimate. He had a period in the spring when he wasn't sure. But then he came out and hasn't missed a day since then.

"When he came out he had a real willingness that he wanted to learn the postion. He works extremely hard at becoming a better receiver. With him you have the inexperience, but you have the eagerness that has really benefited him."

Gray says he didn't play football as a sophomore and a junior because he strained his back while training for track. His doctor advised him to stay away from a physical game like football. Running was fine. Actually it was more than fine this past spring.

Gray won PCL titles in the 100 meters and 200, and he was also a part of the 4x100 relay team that won a league championship. He was named Co-MVP of the PCL finals.

Gray, whose top time in the 100 is 10.8 and a 22.1 in the 200, also helped the Sea Kings' 4x100 relay team finish sixth in CIF Southern Section Division III.

Cole Cottrell, now a teammate on the football squad, was also on that relay team. Now they want to help the Sea Kings win a CIF championship.

Right now, Gray is just more concerned with getting to the semifinals. For all the success that CdM has garnered — an outright PCL title and a No. 2 seed in the playoffs — Gray believes there is so much more. He knows it starts with him and he knows the Sea Kings are capable of greatness.

"We've been playing good," he said. "But we haven't played to our full potential yet. And, once we do I feel like it's going to be crazy."

Gray admits he continues to learn about football and his position as receiver, but he presses on toward reaching his potential. Early in last week's game against Ocean View, Gray dropped a would-be touchdown pass. But he made up for it with a couple big grabs, including a 34-touchdown reception that gave CdM a lead they would not give up.

"We all still make mistakes," Gray said. "I feel like when we eliminate those, we'll be unstoppable."

Gray hasn't done so bad as he learns on the job with 37 catches, 595 yards receiving and nine touchdowns. He is averaging 16 yards per catch.

Early on he struggled with routes, but he said his coaches helped him each practice. It has also helped to have friends.

He's had fun playing on a team with Gardner, Peter Markel, Austin Jones and Alex Herrera. They want the fun to end with a CIF title.

http://www.dailypilot.com/sports/tn-dpt-1126-spgray-20101125,0,1191019.story

CdM appears to be favorite

Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:06:00 GMT

Second-seeded Sea Kings face Anaheim, trying to reach semis of CIF Southern Section Southern Division.

Corona del Mar High is the lone local football team with a game after Thanksgiving. The Sea Kings are grateful to be playing around this time of the year.

The second-seeded Sea Kings face Anaheim in the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division playoffs at Estancia High Friday night at 7. The game is at a neutral site due to both teams playing host to opening-round games last week.

The Sea Kings (9-1-1) advanced after defeating Ocean View, 21-13, at Orange Coast College. The Colonists (7-4) beat Rancho Alamitos, 27-14, at Glover Stadium.

The meeting marks the first between CdM and Anaheim since 1988, when the Sea Kings eliminated the Colonists in the Division VI quarterfinals. That season the Sea Kings went on to claim their first of back-to-back section titles.

The road back to another section championship game bodes well for CdM. The Sea Kings are expected to get through Anaheim and reach the semifinals.

The teams have two common opponents, Magnolia and Savanna. The Sea Kings blew out Magnolia, 52-13, in a nonleague road game on Oct. 2, and they kicked off the season with a 36-14 home victory against Savanna.

Anaheim lost to Magnolia, 21-17, on Oct. 21, and finished second to the Sentinels in the Orange League. The Colonists edged Savanna, 22-14, in a league game on Nov. 5.

The hotter of the two programs is CdM, which is unbeaten in its last seven contests. Three of those games involved Pacific Coast League teams Northwood, Woodbridge and Beckman, which are still alive in the postseason.

The Sea Kings won the Pacific Coast League, the toughest league in the Southern Division. The semifinals can possibly feature four teams from that league.

If CdM can get past Anaheim and return to the semis for the second time in three years under Coach Jason Hitchens, it might face Beckman. The two teams closed out the regular season against each other, with the Sea Kings holding on to a 17-15 victory to win their first outright league title in 22 years.

The Patriots (6-5) play host to Loara (10-1) in a quarterfinal game at Tustin High tonight at 7. The Sea Kings will not overlook their quarterfinal opponent, not after having to make a defensive stand late in the fourth quarter against Ocean View last week to prevail.

The Sea Kings must slow down Anaheim running back Hector Rico. The senior has rushed for 1,113 yards and 11 touchdowns. The defense did an admirable job against Ocean View, limiting tailback Timmy Robinson to 78 yards rushing, 35 below his season average. The Sea Kings did not allow Robinson, who went into the game with 15 rushing touchdowns, to find the end zone.

Senior linebacker Preston Risser is one of CdM's leading tacklers with 87. The defense, which also features standout defensive backs Cole Cottrell and Austin Jones, is up against an offense averaging 25.6 points per game.

Anaheim, which is making its third quarterfinal appearance since 2006, has to be able to disrupt CdM's no-huddle offense for a shot at the upset.

Quarterback Mitch Gardner has thrown for 1,277 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior for the Sea Kings. He has two capable running backs at his disposal, Erik Fisher and Clay Reinhardt. The two have combined for 1,584 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.

The Sea Kings will need a strong running game to extend their season another week. They will gladly take it.

http://www.dailypilot.com/sports/tn-dpt-1126-spcdmfootballpre-20101124,0,6658267.story

TWO-MINUTE DRILL

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 20:59:00 GMT

A feeling of déjà vu had to have been creeping up on the Corona del Mar High football team Friday.

A week after a long touchdown strike in the closing minute put their lead over Pacific Coast League foe Beckman in jeopardy, the Sea Kings faced a last-minute threat from CIF Southern Section Southern Division first-round playoff foe Ocean View at Orange Coast College.

And, just like the Beckman game, in which senior end Alex Herrera gave chase to force an incomplete two-point pass in the end zone that ensured a 17-15 CdM win, the Sea Kings defense rose to the occasion against an Ocean View team that was attempting to move in for a potential score with the game on the line.

Holding on to a 21-13 lead in the waning moments, Ocean View was at the CdM 16-yard line when quarterback Nolan Tippy delivered a pass to receiver Josh Clay at the goal line.

Clay appeared to be in position to make the catch but was denied the ball when CdM junior cornerback Cole Cottrell stepped in front of Clay to break up the pass. The ball fell to the ground with eight seconds left. The Sea Kings took over, ran out the clock and ran toward a second-round date Friday against Anaheim.

"Cole came up with a big play there at the end to stop them," CdM Coach Jason Hitchens said. "I thought our defense again stepped up big when we needed a stop."

Cottrell, who this fall has four interceptions and revealed he set the school record for punt return yardage (297, to date), was also on man coverage in the end zone on Beckman's failed two-point pass Nov. 12.

"Basically, it came down to the same situation," Cottrell said. "I looked up to see that the ball was coming to me again and I knew I had to do whatever was needed to help our team get the win.

"Major props to [Clay] for getting open. I was fortunate to be able to get in position to knock the ball down. It felt like the ball took so long to get there and it was a very relieving feeling when I saw it hit the ground."

http://www.dailypilot.com/sports/tn-dpt-1124-sptwodrill-20101123,0,3771257,full.story