Corona del Mar Runs by Laguna Beach

Corona del Mar dominated the ball, the clock and the game en route to a 27-7 Pacific Coast League victory over host Laguna Beach Friday.

The victory, coupled with Estancia’s 34-27 victory over Costa Mesa, gives Corona del Mar (4-3, 3-0 in league) a guaranteed berth into the Southern Section Division IX playoffs.

It was Corona del Mar’s ground attack that really wore out the Artists (1-6, 0-4). The Sea Kings gained 186 yards on the ground in 51 muddy plays, while holding Laguna Beach to 23 yards in only nine opportunities.

Blake Hacker pounded out 78 yards and two touchdowns in 28 carries, while the rest of the running committee consisting of Matt Cooper, Matt Boyce, Rory McKeever and quarterback Joe Barber combined for 106 yards and a touchdown in 26 carries.

The only points for the Artists came from Will Blodgett, who recovered a Corona del Mar fumble and returned it a school-record 58 yards for a touchdown, giving Laguna Beach a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Sea Kings took control of the game on the next drive. They sloshed through the mud on an 18-play, 80-yard drive that ate up over 10 minutes of the clock. Boyce edged into the end zone from three yards out to tie the score.

Corona del Mar went 44 yards on seven plays and scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Barber to backup tight end Erik Knuppel.