Playing the numbers game

Rick Devereux

Spring football practices are times for players to familiarize

themselves with terminology, technique and coaches to get an early

start on evaluating talent.

For Corona del Mar High, evaluating talent won’t take too long

considering the number of potential players participating.

“This is probably the smallest group I’ve had in five or six

years,” Coach Dick Freeman said. “We have 36 guys and 36 is fine. If

you get too much lower than that, you don’t have any depth.”

Depth is needed to be able to fill any holes opened by injuries.

Luckily, the Sea Kings have been able to avoid any serious injuries

during spring drills.

The number of participants has affected how the Sea Kings will

play in the fall.

The defense, which ran mostly an even front with four linemen last

season, will employ a three-stack with three linemen and five

linebackers.

“We ran it sometimes last season, so it isn’t totally new to the

players,” said Freeman, entering his 11th year at the helm of the CdM

football program. “We just don’t have a whole lot of linemen.”

Senior-to-be Matt Burgner is one defensive linemen CdM does have

returning from a squad that went 6-5 and advanced to the first round

of the CIF Southern Section Division IX playoffs.

Burgner, a first-team All-CIF Division IX performer as well as a

two-time All-Newport-Mesa and first-team All-Pacific Coast League

selection, had 104 tackles -- including 16 sacks -- last year.

The option-oriented offense isn’t expected to change much, but the

loss of 26 players from graduation did result in slight tweaks.

“We’ll run the same stuff, offensively, just shorten the passing

game a bit,” Freeman said. “We lost a lot of receivers from last

year.”

Shaun Mohler, who played linebacker the last two seasons, is

expected to step into the quarterback role and John Fairbanks, a

starter at offensive tackle since his sophomore year, join Burgner as

the top returners.

Tight end Avery Fenton, defensive backs Matt Loyd and Charlie

Albright, as well as receiver/returner Steve Hillgren are other

returners counted on to contribute.

“The kids have a great attitude,” said Freeman, entering his 11th

year with the Sea Kings. “We may not have a lot of people, but the

people we have are getting better and are willing to work hard.”

The Sea Kings season starts Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at Orange Coast

College against Estancia. CdM’s first home game is the following

week, Sept. 9, against Costa Mesa at 7 p.m. at Davidson Field at

Newport Harbor High. Homecoming is scheduled for Nov. 4 against

Beckman at Davidson Field at 7 p.m.

*

2005 SCHEDULE

*All games start at 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 -- at Estancia (Orange Coast College).

Sept. 9 -- vs. Costa Mesa (at Davidson Field).

Sept. 16 -- vs. Troy (at Davidson Field).

Sept. 23 -- vs. Newport Harbor (at Orange Coast College).

Sept. 30 -- vs. Calvary Chapel (at Davidson Field).

Oct. 6 -- at Northwood (Irvine High School).

Oct. 14 -- at Tesoro (Tesoro High School).

Oct. 20 -- vs. Laguna Beach (at Davidson Field).

Nov. 4 -- vs. Beckman (at Davidson Field).

Nov. 11 -- at University (Irvine High School).