GAME OF THE WEEK RECAP AND TOP PHOTOS: Sea Kings Dominate in Win Over the Mustangs to Stay Unbeaten

by Noah Scherson

Chase Kuchera and Brady Annett led Corona Del Mar to defeat Trabuco Hills 35-13 in an away non-conference matchup.

The Sea Kings took the lead early with back-to-back short-yardage rushing touchdowns from junior running back Chase Kuchera and sophomore running back Trejan Nixon. 

The Sea Kings would extend their lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter with senior wide receiver Dorsett Stecker catching a 17-yard touchdown.

Late in the second quarter, Corona Del Mar’s senior quarterback Brady Annett was picked off by junior cornerback Riley Overman off a tipped pass. This set up senior wide receiver Joshua Fitch’s in-traffic touchdown catch from freshman quarterback Jackson Verplancke on the last play of the first half.

The Mustangs missed the PAT, leading to a 21-6 score going into halftime in favor of the Sea Kings.

Trabuco Hills’ offense was carried through the air as Verplancke completed 22 of 37 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown through the air, completing passes to six different Mustangs. 

Coming out of the half, Corona Del Mar head coach Kevin Hettig wanted to stick to the run.

“Let’s stick to it, and show that we can be physical and run the football offensively,” Hettig said. 

Kuchera rushed for a total of 121 yards and two touchdowns on the day. 

Corona Del Mar opened the scoring in the second half with Annett finding senior wide receiver Dorsett Stecker on the hash to extend their lead to 28-6. 

Kuchera would find the endzone once again in the fourth quarter on a 46-yard rush. Trabuco Hills’ senior running back Gavin Mulhall scored a 35-yard receiving touchdown to bring the final score to 35-13, Corona Del Mar.

The Sea Kings remain undefeated at 5-0, while the Mustangs drop to 3-2

Corona Del Mar opens Bravo League play against San Juan Hills next Friday at Davidson Field. Trabuco Hills hosts El Modena that same evening to open up the Delta League.