skip navigation

Good feelings all around as Alex Pourdanesh does his part in CdM’s win over University

By Steve Virgen, 10/14/17, 11:39AM PDT

Share

 

By Steve Virgen, Correspondent 

IRVINE – Some of Alex Pourdanesh’s friends, his former teammates at University High, gathered around him after Corona del Mar had beaten the Trojans, 42-3, Friday night in a Pacific Coast League game.

University quarterback Tristan Lucas and Trojans defensive lineman Dominic Milano playfully portrayed a mock interview with their former teammate, asking, “How did it feel?”

It was in good fun.

For the record, Pourdanesh’s return to University as a CdM senior running back was meaningful during his first carry until his final carry of the game

On the first play from scrimmage, Pourdanesh, who transferred to CdM in the spring, barreled for 63 yards and nearly scored, as he was brought down at Uni’s 4-yard line. JT Murphy scored the first of his three touchdowns from there.

Pourdanesh nearly scored again after he took a short reception for 73 yards, but it was negated due to a holding penalty and it proved to be a 29-yard catch.

 

Finally, Pourdanesh did his best vintage Marshawn Lynch impersonation breaking three tackles en route to a 38-yard touchdown run with 5:45 left in the third quarter. That was CdM’s final TD of the game.

Pourdanesh, who finished with five carries for 129 yards and the touchdown, helped the Sea Kings (6-1, 2-0 in league) maintain their reign in the Pacific Coast League against the Trojans (5-2, 1-1).

“It felt really good (to score), especially after I was caught from behind twice,” Pourdanesh said.

He added that he was playing the game for his older brother, Julian, a senior right guard for the Sea Kings. Julian missed his second straight week because of an ankle injury.

The younger Pourdanesh said the brothers made the move to CdM because of football and for family reasons. He said it was very difficult for them to leave Uni, where their father, Shar, played. Their father also played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I’m happy that Alex Pourdanesh had the game that he had,” University coach Mark Cunningham said “I want nothing but the best for him.”

In addition to Pourdanesh’s highlights, CdM used its talent and depth to pull away from the Trojans. Four quarterbacks, Nathaniel Espinoza, Ethan Garbers, General Booty and Erik Zimmerman, played for the Sea Kings.

University answered CdM’s opening-drive touchdown with Sam Kelley’s 27-yard field goal. Daniel Dolan’s 62-yard run set up the field goal.

After Murphy scored his second touchdown, on a 37-yard pass from Espinoza, Uni nearly responded again, but Lucas barely overthrew his wide receiver on a 33-yard pass that would have went for a touchdown.

CdM linebacker Luke Fisher took back an interception 56 yards early in the third quarter and kept the momentum on the Sea Kings’ side.

Booty hit John Humphries for a 15-yard touchdown reception with 23 seconds left before the half for a 28-3 lead.

CdM coach Dan O’Shea said Fisher’s pick-six was a huge play that changed the game as the Sea Kings rolled to the win.