Hood Returns Interception in Corona del Mar Victory

Nick Hood’s third-quarter interception return for a touchdown proved the be the difference as Corona del Mar escaped a scare with a 14-10 victory over Woodbridge in a Sea View League game Friday night at Irvine High School.

The Sea Kings (4-3, 1-1 in league) trailed, 10-7, for most of the third quarter. With 43 seconds left in the third quarter, Hood intercepted an Adam Lawyer pass and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown and a four-point lead for Corona del Mar.

The Warriors, who have lost 12 consecutive league games and have not won in 22 games overall, threatened twice late in the fourth quarter but were turned back by Corona del Mar.

Woodbridge drove to the Sea Kings’ 28-yard line but Lawyer’s first-down pass intended for Chad Harris was tipped at the five-yard line with 3:53 left in the game.

The Warriors got their last chance after Corona del Mar was forced to punt. With 2:06 left, Woodbridge moved from its 39 to the Sea Kings’ 37-yard line. But Lawyer’s fourth-down pass attempt was tipped and Corona del Mar ran out the final 1:05.

Woodbridge (0-7, 0-2) jumped to an early 7-0 lead when Lawyer found Brian Millat with an eight-yard touchdown pass with 53 seconds left in the first quarter.

Lawyer completed 12 of 27 passes for 152 yards.

The lead did not last long. The Sea Kings answered when Tim Thurman caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from Mike McClellan. Brett Royce kicked the extra point to tie the score, 7-7.

But the Warriors wouldn’t give up the lead so easily. Steve Terwiske kicked a 28-yard field goal with seven seconds left in the half and Woodbridge took a 10-7 lead at halftime.

Shane Harris led Woodbridge with 107 yards rushing and 57 yards receiving.