Corona del Mar’s Tradition Too Much for Pacifica Again

Todd Kehrli might not have had much to do with Corona del Mar High School’s undefeated season in 1988, but the sophomore quarterback certainly understands one truth about Corona del Mar’s recent tradition.

“We’re a really good playoff team,” Kehrli said after leading his team, a wild-card entry, to a 10-0 upset of fourth-seeded Pacifica Friday night at Bolsa Grande High School.

The Sea Kings (8-3) advanced to play Brea-Olinda, which defeated Fullerton, 35-6, in the second round. Pacifica, which was eliminated by Corona del Mar in last year’s semifinals, finished 8-2-1.

Corona del Mar, the Division VI defending champion, will not match its perfect 1988 season this year. But after playing inconsistently throughout nonleague play and Sea View League competition--finishing fourth--the Sea Kings seemed to have found a more solid base in all aspects. Especially on defense.

Corona del Mar held Pacifica to 91 yards total offense, limiting the Mariners’ star running back, Chris Shockley, to just 62 yards in 10 carries.

And Pacifica quarterback Bobby Anderson, who entered the game as the county’s No. 2-rated passer, completed just three of 12 passes for 55 yards. One pass was intercepted.

Said Shockley: “They really hit us hard. There’s not much we could’ve done. . . . I don’t know what to say.”

In contrast, Corona del Mar running back Brian Lucas said plenty with his 127 yards rushing in 30 carries. Pacifica’s defense had trouble containing him all night, though Lucas received plenty of help--and truck-size holes--from his line. Sea Kings Jerrott Willard (43 yards, seven carries) and Kevin Murphy (56 yards, six carries) helped balance out the ground attack.

And Warren Johnson, Corona del Mar wide receiver and defensive back, caught six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, a 25-yard catch in the end zone. That catch came off a near-perfect pass, made despite the fact that Kehrli had a defender or two hanging from his jersey.

And Johnson--who had a first-quarter interception that led to a 31-yard field goal by Jerrott Willard--played just as well defensively.

“We had nothing to lose,” said Kehrli, who completed nine of 17 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

“If we relax and play our game, we thought we could beat ‘em.”