Corona del Mar Edges Saddleback

Senior Charlie Alshuler had three interceptions, including one in the closing seconds, and also caught a touchdown pass to help Corona del Mar beat Saddleback 38-35 in a nonleague football game Thursday at Orange Coast College.

Alshuler’s final interception came on the first play from scrimmage after Saddleback took over on downs on its six with 26 seconds left.

His first interception stopped a Saddleback drive and his second set up a Corona del Mar touchdown.

“This is something to build on for us,” said Alshuler who also had a 16-yard touchdown reception. “I was just doing my job like everybody else.”

The Sea Kings dominated the game on the ground as senior Blake Hacker rushed for 207 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run, in 28 carries.

Sophomore Mark Cianciulli added 88 yards in nine carries and sophomore Matt Cooper scored on runs of one and 18 yards.

Cooper’s 18-yard score gave Corona del Mar (1-3) a 38-21 lead with 10 minutes 54 seconds left in the game.

Saddleback (1-3) scored on a five-yard pass from Ramon Saavedra (22 of 38, 298 yards) to Ismael Isais and then Joel Gonzalez added a seven-yard run to get close, but Corona del Mar was able to run out much of the final six minutes.