Sea Kings Survive Penalties, Hang On to Defeat Canyon

Corona del Mar survived a rash of penalties and a fourth-quarter comeback, holding on to defeat Canyon, 20-13, in a nonleague game at El Modena High.

The Sea Kings (1-2) were penalized 21 times for 180 yards in the game, but prevailed because of a strong defensive effort.

The Corona del Mar defense limited the Comanches to only 137 yards of total offense.

Canyon moved the ball in the fourth quarter thanks mostly to Corona del Mar penalties.

“As ugly as [the game] was, if you saw us the first two games, this is progress,” Corona del Mar Coach Dick Freeman said. “We had a little more enthusiasm tonight and some better blocking.”

Canyon (0-3) scored two fourth quarter touchdowns on a one-yard run by quarterback Aram Keuilian with 10 minutes left and a 10-yard pass from Keuilian to Todd Rigby with 4 minutes 40 seconds left. Keuilian’s extra-point kick after the second touchdown was blocked.

The Comanches got the ball back with 1:30 left, but Mycheal Henry intercepted a Keuilian pass at the Sea Kings’ 42 and Corona del Mar ran out the clock.

The Sea Kings jumped to a 10-0 first-quarter lead on a 25-yard field goal by Bubb Rader and a one-yard run by Grant Easterbrook.

Another 25-yard field goal with 8:17 left in the first half and a 17-yard touchdown pass from Dennis Alshuler to Mike Finn four minutes later gave Corona del Mar a 20-0 lead.