GAME RECAP: Nolan Scott, Sea Kings Outlast The Edison Chargers To Remain Undefeated

By Justin Tatsuki Lee

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA-

Corona del Mar continued its undefeated start to the season Friday night, pulling away from Edison 27-7 in a game defined almost entirely by CDM’s defense, which forced five turnovers and turned a sloppy offensive night into a comfortable win. Head coach Kevin Hettig’s Sea Kings improve to 3-0, while Jeff Grady and the Chargers fall to 1-2 and now look to regroup at home next week.

First Quarter — Two Defenses, No Points Edison received the opening kickoff with Sam Thomson under center, but Corona del Mar’s defense set the tone immediately, with the CDM cornerback blanketing the Edison receiver on third-and-3 to force a quick three-and-out. Corona del Mar took over near midfield behind Luca Dinapoli at quarterback, but the Chargers’ defense answered in kind. Wyatt Campbell twice stopped Chase Kuchera short, and after a holding penalty and a false start buried CDM into a long-yardage hole, Dinapoli missed Tucker Murray on a post route to force a three-and-out of their own. Edison’s second possession fared no better, with the offense stifled on a deflected pass and a stuffed run before Cade Dickerson sacked Thomson on third-and-18 to force another punt. 0-0 (5:51, 1st) Tucker Murray’s return gave CDM a short field at the Edison 23, and Chase Kuchera bulled forward for 9 yards to the 14. But Ryder Keating dropped Kuchera for a loss to set up fourth-and- 3, and Chuck Naylor’s 30-yard field goal try sailed wide left. Edison’s ensuing drive went nowhere against CDM’s run defense, resulting in a third straight three-and-out. Corona del Mar then got the ball back at the Edison 41, but Chase Kuchera fumbled on third-and-2 and the Chargers recovered. Edison’s offense couldn’t cash in, however — Tucker Murray picked off a deep, arcing throw from Thomson near midfield to give the ball right back to CDM. The Sea Kings drove to the Edison 48-yard line before Dinapoli overthrew a wide-open Dylan Paolone in the end zone, and a third-down keeper came up short as the quarter expired. 0-0 (End of 1st)

Second Quarter — Corona del Mar Finally Breaks Through Edison turned to Kellen Hairston at quarterback and Gavyn De Giacomo at running back to open the second quarter. Hairston converted Edison’s first real first down of the night on a keeper, but on the next series Nolan Scott stepped in front of a pass rolling away from pressure for CDM’s second interception of the half. Corona del Mar cashed in field position at the Edison 31. JJ Haley hauled in a 15-yard catch to the 14, and after Max Brengal moved the chains to set up third-and-4 from the 8, Edison’s defense stiffened and forced a field goal try. CDM 3, Edison 0 (7:35, 2nd) Drake Sunga’s 26-yard kickoff return gave Edison some life, and with Thomson back at quarterback, Brett Dempson ripped off a 15-yard run for a first down. Back-to-back solid carries briefly gave the Chargers momentum before a fourth-and-5 stalled the drive at their own 46. Corona del Mar couldn’t take advantage, though — the first pass downfield out of their own 8 was picked off by Dawon Steward at the CDM 19. Edison drove into scoring position, but Nolan Scott sacked Thomson on third-and-13, and a fourth-and-22 throw sailed out of bounds under pressure to turn the ball over on downs. Corona del Mar again threatened. John David Annett, now at quarterback, found Nolan Scott for a spectacular 49-yard grab down to the Edison 5. But after a short keeper made it third-and-8, Edison’s defense forced an incompletion, and McKennon Pierce blocked Chuck Naylor’s 25-yard field goal attempt to preserve the margin. Edison ran out the final seconds to reach the break. Halftime: CDM 3, Edison 0

Third Quarter — Two Quick Scores, Then a Pick-Six Changes Everything Corona del Mar opened the third quarter with a three-and-out, giving Edison a short field near midfield. Sam Thomson’s keeper and a quick out to McKennon Pierce moved the chains inside CDM territory, and Hairston’s legs did the rest — a keeper to the 17, a 10-yard completion to Ricardo Azernitzky to the 7, and finally a 4-yard touchdown plunge to put Edison on top. Edison 7, CDM 3 (5:13, 3rd) Corona del Mar answered right away. Starting at their own 20 after a touchback, JD Annett leaned on short runs and screens before JJ Haley broke free for a 40-yard catch to the Edison 30. Nolan Scott followed with a 23-yard grab down to the 3, and Annett punched it in from there. CDM 10, Edison 7 The turning point came moments later. Edison started at its own 10 after a holding penalty on the return, and Hudson Zinone jumped Hairston’s pass inside the 10-yard line and raced it back for a pick-six. CDM 17, Edison 7 Another holding call pinned Edison at its own 10 on the ensuing drive. Thomson nearly threw another interception on the first play and the Chargers went three-and-out. Corona del Mar took over at midfield and Holden Perisi broke off a 19-yard run to close out the quarter. CDM 17, Edison 7 (End of 3rd)

Fourth Quarter — CDM Pulls Away Corona del Mar picked up where it left off, working methodically down the field with runs and perimeter passes from the Edison 31. Facing fourth-and-1 at the 10, the Sea Kings went for it and converted on a quarterback sneak, then JJ Haley hauled in a 9-yard touchdown slant from Annett two plays later. CDM 24, Edison 7 Zach Cox intercepted Hairston inside the Edison 20 — the Sea Kings’ fourth pick of the night — setting up CDM at the 8. Holden Perisi gained 6 yards on the ground before Xavier Palhetas knocked through a 21-yard field goal. CDM 27, Edison 7 (5:11, 4th) Edison, playing without injured standout Sam Edmisten, got one more push when Brett Dempsen hauled in a 25-yard pass from Thomson, but Cade Dickerson’s sack sealed a turnover on downs and the game. Final: CDM 27, Edison 7

Corona del Mar improves to 3-0 and turns its attention to the 65th Battle of the Bay against Newport Harbor next Thursday, September 10, at Davidson Field. Edison will look to bounce back against Palos Verdes at home on September 11.

Coach Kevin Hettig credited his team’s halftime approach for the second-half surge, saying the Sea Kings simply “went back and kept it simple.” He pointed to the defense as the difference- maker, noting it “carried us through the first half and much of that second half.” Looking ahead to the rivalry matchup, Hettig said CDM knows what’s coming: “We’re gonna get Newport Harbor’s best game of the year, we know that.” Linebacker Nolan Scott, who finished with an interception and two of CDM’s biggest catches of the night, said the defense “played relentless.” He was equally direct about the mentality Corona del Mar plans to bring into the Battle of the Bay: “We’re not gonna come in slow, we’ll come in hot.” Scott also reflected on what makes the rivalry unique, saying there’s something special about “looking up at the crowds and playing against kids that you know.”

Top Performers:

Corona del Mar:

JJ Haley: 2 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown

Nolan Scott: INT, sack, and 2 catches for 72 yards on offense

Holden Perisi: key fourth-quarter runs, including a 19-yard gain

Hudson Zinone: pick-six

Xavier Palhetas: 21-yard field goal

Cade Dickerson: 2 sacks, including the game-sealing stop

Edison:

Kellen Hairston: rushing touchdown, extended drives with his legs

Sam Thomson: 25-yard completion to Brett Dempsen late

McKennon Pierce: blocked field goal