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COSTA MESA — Corona del Mar’s football team watched Newport Harbor’s students jubilantly storm the field the past two seasons after the schools’ annual Battle of the Bay clash.
On Saturday, the Sea Kings continued their “reset” season by grinding to a different postgame celebration at Orange Coast College.
Running back Chase Kuchera rushed for two touchdowns and Corona del Mar’s defense recorded seven sacks as the Sea Kings snapped a two-game losing streak to their rival with a 21-6 victory before a capacity crowd of 7,600.
As Corona del Mar (7-0, 2-0) put the final touches on the Bravo League victory, the Sea Kings’ students stormed the field for a wild celebration.
“It feels amazing,” said Corona del Mar quarterback Brady Annett, who helped the Sea Kings trim Newport Harbor’s lead in the all-time series 40-24.
“I think our culture is really good right now. Every single person on our team is all-in, and it’s showing. We’re 7-0.”
The Sea Kings’ rallying cry has been a “reset” of their culture after finishing 4-6 last season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The team, ranked No. 10 in Orange County, has stressed strong character traits, which it needed to beat feisty Newport Harbor (2-5, 0-2).
“This game is always going to be a tough game,” Corona del Mar coach Kevin Hettig said. “I’m just proud of our guys for staying together. … There’s no unraveling.”
Newport Harbor quarterback Jordan Spigarelli, a transfer from JSerra who observed the sitout period, made his first appearance of the season and kept the Sailors close. He played for an injured Jake Meer, Sailors coach Matt Burns said.
Corona del Mar took a 14-6 lead into the final period after a scoreless third period.
Each team forced turnovers in the third but neither side capitalized.
Newport Harbor’s defense forced a fumble on third-and-goal from its 3 that cornerback Trevor Glynn recovered at the 7.
Two plays later, Corona del Mar linebacker Cash Pearsall made a leaping interception near midfield.
Corona del Mar scored the first points of the second half with 5:08 left in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard touchdown run Kuchera on third-and-goal.
Annett set up the score with a 26-yard run on third-and-20 to the Sailors 9.
The senior completed 10 of 22 passes for 170 yards against a Newport Harbor defense that kept the Sea Kings well below their scoring average of 36.6 points.
Corona del Mar defense played even better. Pearsall and fellow linebacker Alexander Nickin led a relentless blitz while Damian Zeno-Herrera anchored the defensive line.
Corona del Mar scored on its first two possessions to take a 14-6 lead at intermission.
Kuchera capped the Sea Kings’ first chance with the ball by breaking a 26-yard touchdown run up the middle with 5:12 left in the first quarter. The junior capped a 64-yard drive that consumed about three minutes.
Corona del Mar’s defense sparked the next touchdown.
After the Sea Kings stopped Newport Harbor on a fourth-and-11 from the Corona del Mar 32, Annett lofted a 39-yard touchdown to wide receiver Garrett James as the Sea Kings grabbed a 14-0 lead on the second play of the second quarter.
Newport Harbor answered the middle of the second.
Spigarelli scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to cap a 61-yard drive with 2:45 left in the half.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior completed all four of his pass attempts on the drive and added an 11-yard run to set up the score.
Next week, Corona del Mar plays Villa Park (4-3, 1-1) at El Modena High in the Bravo League on Oct. 17. Newport Harbor plays host to San Juan Hills (5-2, 1-1) on the same day.
