CdM in need of big beef

Corona del Mar High Coach Dick Freeman has a wry sense of humor that comes across well with the football team. Every once in a while, he’ll throw out a zinger, and all anyone can do is shrug their shoulders.

Last week, for the third time this season, the Sea Kings scored just one touchdown in regulation, this time in a 21-6 loss to Villa Park. The coach offered this “Freemanism”:

“We need to be able to run the ball better, but our linemen aren’t going to be able to get to 270 [pounds] by next weekend,” said the coach, who guides the Sea Kings in a Pacific Coast League opener against Beckman tonight at 7 at Tustin High.

The biggest player on CdM’s roster is junior lineman Sam French, at six-foot-five, 240 pounds. This week, sophomore JD Abbott will start at tailback while senior Tyler Harmon takes a rest. Harmon has been taking a lighter load in practice this week.

He will still get carries, but not as substantial a number as previous weeks because of a sore knee. Austin Raiger will be the No. 2 rusher against Beckman (4-1).

The Sea Kings have struggled offensively when facing defensive lines that practically dwarfed CdM’s line, such as Newport Harbor and Villa Park.

“I think a lot of it is just the confidence that we can still do it,” Freeman said. “As long as we have the confidence to do it, I think we’ll be able to run the football.”

Beckman, which runs a spread offense, should be a bit smaller, Freeman said.

Quarterback Hunter Alder should also play more of a factor this week, after throwing for only 73 yards against Villa Park. Alder was 10-16 and threw three interceptions. Alder only threw for 65 yards against South El Monte, but Noah Molnar’s four interceptions aided the Sea Kings in that game.

Beckman’s only loss this season was its season opener against Artesia. CdM has defeated the Patriots for the past two seasons.

“We’re playing some pretty good defensive teams,” Freeman said. “You’re way better off going in there [league play] 6-0 than you are 2-3, but I think what we need to concentrate on is that we have the ability to play some good football. We can move the football, we can throw the football, we can catch the football, we can run the football. As long as we keep a positive aspect on that, I think we’ll be fine.”

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or at [email protected].