Unbeaten Tustin Wins Ninth, Rips Corona del Mar

Tustin High School, showing grit and speed early but a penchant for stalling late, defeated Corona del Mar, 21-7, Friday at Newport Harbor to clinch the Sea View League championship and move within one victory of a perfect regular season.

The second-ranked Tillers (9-0, 4-0 in the league) scored on their first two possessions and took a 14-7 lead in the first quarter, but could only manage one more touchdown against a Corona del Mar defense that was more unyielding as the game progressed.

Tustin Coach Marijon Ancich praised his defense, which has allowed only three touchdowns in four league games. But he was less than enthusiastic with his offense, which turned the ball over three times and, not counting its single touchdown drive, didn’t have any first downs in the second half.

“We need to play well for 48 minutes,” Ancich said. “We did it for about 20 and then we relaxed on offense.

“We need a lot more poise if we are going to keep it going.”

For two-time defending Southern Section Division VI champion Corona del Mar, it was the fifth Sea View League loss in two seasons and dropped the Sea Kings (4-4-1, 1-2-1) into fifth place.

Corona del Mar still can qualify for the playoffs if it defeats University--one of three teams tied for second--next week. Last season, the Sea Kings finished 2-3 in league in fourth place and qualified as a wild-card team.

Tustin struck first, pounding out a 67-yard drive. Running back Ron Goods rushed for 18 yards in three carries and caught two swing passes for 20 yards before Andy Borza threw a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Josh Belden. Borza completed four of five passes on the drive for 40 yards.

Corona del Mar then tied the game quickly. Quarterback Chad Woolsey, who completed his first three passes, hit George Dickson with a medium-range pass, which he caught between two defenders. The Tustin defensive backs bounced off Dickson, who turned and ran 30 yards into the end zone, completing a 63-yard pass play.

It was the first touchdown pass for Woolsey, who last week replaced starting quarterback Todd Kehrli, a junior who is likely out for the season with a finger injury.

But it was the Sea Kings’ only burst of offense. Woolsey was 8 for 21 for 116 yards and 2 interceptions. Tustin limited the Seas Kings to 16 yards on the ground.

On the next possession, Borza threw to Keve Love in the flat and he ran untouched into the end zone on a 54-yard scoring play, giving Tustin a 14-7 halftime lead.

The Tillers’ final score early in the third quarter was set up by an interception by Josh Hylton, who returned the ball 18 yards to the Corona del Mar 27. Tustin then pounded the ball in behind Visko Ancich, who carried the ball six times for 24 yards on the drive, the touchdown from the four.