ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Big Plays Get Corona del Mar by Saddleback

Tom O’Meara scored two first-quarter touchdowns as Corona del Mar defeated Saddleback, 34-14, Friday night at Santa Ana Stadium to give Dick Freeman his first victory as head coach.

It was big plays that helped the Sea Kings to an early lead.

George Sumner’s fingertip catch on a 42-yard pass from Josh Walz set up O’Meara’s one-yard touchdown run in the opening drive of the game. A 38-yard punt return by Ryan Burns set up O’Meara’s 28-yard touchdown run on the second drive and Corona del Mar had a 14-0 lead with 3:34 left in the first quarter.

Mike Keene connected from 34 yards out with the first of his two field goals with 2:14 left in the first quarter to increase the Sea King lead to 17-0.

Freeman, who took over after the dismissal of Mark Schuster in the third week of the season, was pleased with the early performance of his squad.

“We got all the distractions out of the way and could focus back on football,” Freeman said.

Corona del Mar increased its lead to 24-0 with 1:12 left in the first half on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Walz to Darren McDonald.

Keene kicked a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter and Walz rambled for a 55-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to complete he scoring for Corona del Mar (3-1).

Saddleback (0-4) averted a shutout when Jose Roman caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Rodriguez with 8:06 left in the game.

John Zermano caught a 28-yard touchdown pass with 2:37 left and Ricky Hernandez hit his second conversion to complete the scoring for the Roadrunners.

Four lost fumbles, including three in the first half, hampered the Saddleback offense.

O’Meara finished the game with 102 yards on 21 carries.