Corona del Mar’s Linebackers Provide Crash Course in Defense

They are the core of a rock ‘em, sock ‘em defense, able to pounce in an instant, ready to neutralize--if not pulverize--an opponent’s attach.

They are Corona del Mar High School’s linebackers, the best the school has had in its 26-year history.

Seniors Brandon Bento, Pat Callaghan, Chris Deuchar and John Katovsich and junior Jerrott Willard have banded together in hopes of giving the Sea Kings their finest season.

“We’ve had good linebackers, but never this many at one time,” Sea King Coach Dave Holland said.

Together, they’ve helped Corona del Mar (6-0-2 overall, 1-0-2 in league) remain undefeated. In 8 games, the Sea Kings have allowed just 52 points, holding their opponents to an average of 6.5 points a game.

Tonight at 7:30, Corona del Mar, ranked ninth in Orange County and eighth in the Southern Section’s Division VI, meets Tustin (3-4-1, 1-1-1) in a Sea View League game at Orange Coast College.

Because the race for the Sea View League championship is very tight--first-place Corona del Mar leads Tustin, Saddleback, University and Estancia by a half-game--tonight’s meeting could make or break either team’s chances of winning the title.

Corona del Mar, the defending champion, has lost to Tustin in its last 2 meetings by identical scores, 14-13.

“None of us has ever been on a team that’s beaten Tustin,” Katovsich said. “For most of us, this will be our last chance.”

Katovsich, a 6-foot 3-inch, 220-pounder, pairs with Deuchar (6-3, 225) at inside linebacker.

Both transferred to Corona del Mar; Katovsich came from Houston as a sophomore, and Deuchar from Glendale Hoover this season. Both also play offense--Katovsich at running back and Deuchar at tight end.

And both, with great size, speed and strength, have given Corona del Mar its biggest boost.

“They’re the two best linebackers I’ve seen (this season),” said Costa Mesa Coach Tom Baldwin, whose team lost, 21-12, to Corona del Mar last month.

“Other schools might have one better, but as a pair . . . I haven’t seen a pair as good as them this year or last year or even for a few years.”

Said Tustin Coach Marijon Ancich: “Oh! Those two? They’re as physical as anyone in the Southern Section. . . . We’re gonna hope that we can avoid them.”

But those who manage to avoid Katovsich and Deuchar might wind up with other problems: Bento, Callaghan and Willard.

Bento, who is expected to be fully recovered from an ankle sprain suffered 2 weeks ago, is the smallest of the five at 6-0, 163.

But great technique and quick thinking has helped Bento become one of the Sea Kings’ best outside linebackers. Two weeks ago, Bento preserved the Sea Kings’ 14-7 victory over Estancia with a 41-yard interception return in the game’s final moments.

Callaghan, also at outside linebacker, is the quickest of the five. Not many knew that until this season because Callaghan, a soccer player, only kicked for the Sea Kings last year.

“I decided if I was going to be on the team this year, I might as well go all out,” said Callaghan, who along with kicking, has had many superb defensive plays, such as his 62-yard interception return for the winning touchdown against Estancia.

Willard has, according to Holland, possibly the greatest determination and intensity of the five. He plays a combination outside linebacker-defensive lineman position.

“He wants to do everything,” Holland said.

In his first varsity season, Willard has had an interception and three fumble recoveries--one of which helped the Sea Kings maintain a scoreless tie with Saddleback last Friday.

Although Willard will have another season before graduation, the others know they’ve got just one more chance to help their school to its best season. The Sea Kings have never gotten past the second round of the Southern Section playoffs, having gone that far in 1981 and 1987.

“We know we have the ability this year,” Katovsich said. “The school’s never won a (Southern Section) championship. We figure this is the best chance Corona will have in a long time. We’ve got to take advantage of it.”