Second-Quarter Effort Lifts University

Irvine University scored three touchdowns in a five-minute span of the second quarter Thursday night and defeated Newport Beach Corona del Mar, 37-10, in a Pacific Coast League football game at Irvine High.

Leading, 7-3, three minutes into the second quarter, the Trojans took over at the Corona del Mar 13-yard line after the knee of Sea King punter Brian Dunn touched the ground while trying to field a low snap. One play later, Scott Pickett ran into the end zone for a 14-3 lead.

Corona del Mar (4-2-1, 1-1) fumbled on its next play from scrimmage and Koji Chavez recovered at the Sea King 15. The Trojans scored four plays later on a two-yard run by Pickett, giving University a 20-3 lead with 7:23 remaining in the first half.

After the Trojans moved ahead, 27-3, on a four-yard touchdown run by Rikus Pretorius, Corona del Mar put together a 13-play scoring drive late in the second quarter, scoring with no time remaining on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Handy to K.C. Rawlins.

University (6-1, 2-0) opened the second half by moving 60 yards in six plays to take a 34-10 lead on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Nick Gerakos to Ryan McMillen.

Pickett, who came into the game with 853 yards rushing, carried the ball 18 times for 132 yards. Corona del Mar running back Mark Cianciulli had 225 yards in 32 carries.