SAN DIEGO – Despite it being his first career start, Corona del Mar’s Peter Bush looked like anything but a rookie Friday.
Taking over at quarterback for the defending CIF Division III state champions, the junior delivered in a big way.
Bush threw for 176 yards and a pair of touchdowns and ran for a score, leading the Sea Kings past La Costa Canyon, 38-0, in the Under Armour Brothers in Arms Classic at Cathedral Catholic High.
CdM (1-0) scored on its first possession when Bush found senior Bo St. Geme on a fade route in the end zone. The Sea Kings (1-0) recorded their 27th consecutive victory, the longest current streak in the state.
“For a first game, I thought the offense looked real sharp, and overall as a team, I thought we played pretty well,” Corona del Mar coach Scott Meyer said. “I thought Pete (Bush) played great.”
Corona del Mar entered the second quarter with a 10-0 lead and quickly added to it. Bush scored on a 12-yard read-option run, giving the Sea Kings a 17-0 lead early in the quarter.
Sophomore quarterback Chase Garbers scored on a 3-yard run to give the three-time defending CIF champions a 24-0 lead at the half.
It was more than enough for Corona del Mar’s vaunted defense.
Hugh Crance had a pair of interceptions for the Sea Kings, helping hold La Costa Canyon under 150 yards on offense.
“We love those guys (on defense). We wouldn’t trade them for anyone,” Meyer said. “They rise to the challenge.”
The backbreaker for La Costa came when CdM running back Cole Martin broke off a 77-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, putting the game firmly out of reach.
Playing a team from San Diego’s top division was the first of a challenging nonleague slate of games for the Sea Kings, who will also face El Toro and Tesoro before league.
Given the tough competition, Meyer liked what he saw.
“(There are) a lot of areas we can get better, but I’m pretty happy with this start,” Meyer said.
Contact the writer: mkatz@ocregister.com
