Corona del Mar Can’t Keep Up With South Hills in 34-3 Loss

Corona del Mar saw a higher level of football than it has all season in its 34-3 loss to South Hills in the first round of the Southern Section Division IX playoffs Friday at Covina High.

“They definitely have the horses over there,” Sea King Coach Dick Freeman said of the second-seeded Huskies (10-1).

It was an especially rough night for Corona del Mar’s offense. The Sea Kings (5-6) accumulated 32 rushing yards, 14 passing yards and no first downs.

Senior tailback Blake Hacker, hampered by a sprained ankle, was held to 16 yards in six carries. His backup, Matt Boyce, also hurt his ankle during the game and gained only 11 yards in nine carries.

The Sea Kings’ lone points came on a 46-yard field goal from Jon-Luke Del Fante that gave them a 3-0 advantage. Senior Matt Moore helped set up the points with a 31-yard punt return.

From there, South Hills (10-1) scored on its next four possessions.

Tailback Marcus Nolan rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns in 17 carries to lead South Hills’ ground attack.

Jason Murray caught four passes for 70 yards to go with his 60-yard punt return for a touchdown as the Huskies racked up 27 second-quarter points to build a comfortable lead.