Digestion is almost complete on what could be considered the
appetizer of the high school football season. And, regardless of the
outcome of either the season-opening game or a preseason scrimmage,
Newport-Mesa coaches all share a hunger for the next course.
Corona del Mar High and Sage Hill School will enter this week's
action with the satisfaction of having already swallowed a victory.
But neither Sea Kings Coach Dick Freeman, nor Lightning head man
Tom Monarch are the least bit interested in pushing away from the
preleague table to savor the early taste of success.
Meanwhile, first-year coaches Jay Johnson (Costa Mesa) and Brian
Barnes (Estancia), both coming off opening losses, have already begun
reassembling the ingredients that will go into their next contest.
Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley is dealing with the sour
sensation created by a disappointing showing in the team's scrimmage
against Trabuco Hills Friday.
* CORONA DEL MAR: The Sea Kings defeated Estancia, 26-6, Friday at
Orange Coast College, and their solid performance provided more
cramps than kinks for Freeman and his staff to work out.
Freeman, who said a handful of players cramping up in the second
half may have had something to do with OCC's cushiony year-old
synthetic turf, had plenty to be encouraged about.
"I thought our offensive line did really well and I thought our
defense played well," said Freeman, who was expecting a strong
defense this year but had listed the offensive front as a question
mark heading into the season.
Another plus was a breakout performance by senior tailback Matt
Loyd. Loyd, who played some receiver last season but had primarily
contributed at defensive back before this season, carried 23 times
for 187 yards.
Loyd, who started at cornerback, also made a leaping interception.
The Sea Kings broke a scoreless tie with 1:31 left in the first
half when fullback Matt Burgner plunged in on fourth-and-goal at the
2-yard line.
The momentum escalated when end Keaten Price's big hit forced a
fumble recovered by Ford Noe at the Estancia 27 on the first play
after intermission.
CdM scored two plays later and never looked back.
The Sea Kings face Costa Mesa at Newport Harbor Friday.
* SAGE HILL: Friday night marked just the second time the
Lightning -- in their fourth varsity season -- have played a home
game under the lights.
But with the installation of temporary lighting fixtures in each
corner of the school's home field, the team will be playing night
home games all season.
