PREP FOOTBALL : Sea Kings on a Roll, Win, 52-8

Santiago High School quarterback Dana Ripley started Thursday night’s game against Corona del Mar as the county’s top-rated quarterback.

Three hours later--after throwing 5 interceptions and completing only 8 of 23 passes for 61 yards--Ripley’s rating meant little to the 1,100 who saw Corona del Mar rout Santiago, 52-8, at Newport Harbor High School.

Weston Johnson, a junior wide receiver and defensive back, led Corona del Mar (3-0) both on offense and defense.

Johnson had three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and scored another on a reception.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Johnson said. “We were putting lots of pressure on the quarterback, so he had to throw when he didn’t want to.”

Johnson returned his first interception 37 yards to give the Sea Kings a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter, Johnson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Ty Price to boost the Sea Kings to a 17-0 lead.

Johnson added a third touchdown with a 38-yard interception return with 7:50 remaining in the second quarter. Johnson added his third interception in the fourth quarter to set up the Sea Kings’ sixth touchdown drive.

But Johnson wasn’t the only one to ruin Ripley’s night. Jerrott Willard, a junior linebacker, intercepted a short pass attempt for a 15-yard touchdown return in the second quarter.

Price, who received exceptional blocking from his offensive line, had a quality night. He completed 10 of 18 passes for 127 yards and 1 touchdown.

Brian Lucas led the Sea Kings’ running game, gaining 88 yards on 14 carries. Lucas, a junior, also scored the Sea Kings’ final touchdown on a 6-yard run with 3:57 remaining in the game.

Santiago, which fell to 2-1, got its only score on a 7-yard run around right end by running back Rudy Motley. Ripley ran through the middle for the two-point conversion.