NEWPORT BEACH – Corona del Mar coach Scott Meyer sometimes forgot what the number was. He even answered incorrectly on occasion when asked how many games in a row his team had won.
“It’s a big number,” Meyer said. “It’s a testament to our assistant coaches and players for what they’ve been able to do. That’s a lot of games in a row. It’s awesome.”
The awe continued with Saturday’s win in the CIF State Division 3 bowl game against Sacred Heart Prep of Atherton, pushing the Sea Kings’ streak to 26 games. Corona del Mar claimed its first state title, this after winning its third consecutive section title and second consecutive league title, and became the first team in county history to go 16-0.
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• All-County First Team Offense
• All-County First Team Defense
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Meyer, the captain throughout this Sea Kings football dynasty, is the Register’s Coach of the Year.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Meyer said of the past year. “Sometimes I got to pinch myself and think about it. It’s been so much fun and gone so fast.”
It was only March 2011 when Meyer took over for Jason Hitchens, who had guided the program to the CIF-SS semifinals in two of the previous three seasons.
Meyer immediately relayed five team goals to his players: beat Newport Harbor, win the Pacific Coast League, win the Southern Division, collectively earn a 3.5 GPA, and have fun.
“Yeah, we’re the football coaches here but I’m a teacher on campus,” said Meyer, who teaches social studies. “Academics are the main focus of why they’re in school. Football is an extracurricular activity.”
The charge to win — CIF, league, and against their hated city rival — thrilled the kids. Ensuring that they excel in school and enjoy the experience cut to their hearts.
“He really cared about us and led us,” offensive lineman Brett Olson said. “He learned all of our names. He talked to us on a personal basis. It’s not easy coming in as a new coach. He wanted us to buy in and work together and become family with the coaches.
“We all wanted to follow him.”
The kids followed Meyer all the way to a CIF title that first season, overcoming close losses to Newport Harbor and Beckman. They also sported a team-wide GPA near 3.3, not too far behind CIF academic champion Palos Verdes, with many players taking AP and honors courses.
Last year, the Sea Kings lost another heartbreaker to Newport Harbor but went unbeaten in league and again won their division. Their GPA was 3.25.
“We haven’t had to push them a whole lot,” Meyer said. “They’re pretty self-motivated on and off the field.”
Meyer upped the football ante heading into this season by scheduling all five nonleague games against teams from higher divisions. Corona del Mar won every game — El Toro was the only close call — and halted a six-game losing streak to Newport Harbor with a 20-point victory.
The Sea Kings sailed through league play before winning their four Southern Division playoff bouts by at least 21 points.
“We expect to win,” Meyer said. “We don’t go in with an attitude of disrespect. But the way we work, if we play well, we’re going to have a good chance.”
Corona del Mar has been so good its dominance has been met with criticism about its league and division affiliation.
The Sea Kings are obligated to remain in the Pacific Coast League for at least the next four seasons. Moreover, the school has limited influence on whether the league as a whole moves to a higher division.
Meyer’s not looking to protect his record, regardless, having added Tesoro and El Toro to a 2014 nonleague slate that again includes Newport Harbor.
“We’re scheduling to get better and compete in our league and prepare us for the playoffs,” Meyer said. “If we get moved up it’d be a great challenge for us and we’d accept it. We’d be excited to see where we are.
“I think it might even force us to work a little harder.”
The team GPA will be released in January, a number Meyer won’t soon forget.
Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com
