NEWPORT BEACH – Corona del Mar quarterback Peter Bush remained on his right knee at the 35-yard line immediately following his final snap.
The junior quarterback was physically and emotionally drained.
The exhaustion only lasted a matter of seconds, however, as Bush’s fellow classmates rushed the field and mobbed the Sea Kings quarterback, igniting yet another CdM celebration in front of the Newport Harbor faithful.
For the second consecutive season, No. 6 Corona del Mar proved victorious in the Battle of the Bay rivalry, squeaking past Newport Harbor, 28-18, on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd at Newport Harbor High.
“That was a great high school football game,” said CdM coach Scott Meyer. “Both teams played their hearts out. You can’t ask much more for a Battle of the Bay rivalry game.”
Sophomore running back Jaydin Moses rushed for a career-high 184 yards on 20 carries in place of injured running back Cole Martin (sprained knee). His two second half touchdowns proved to be the difference in a game that was 14-10 at the half.
“He did a great job from that opening drive,” Meyer said of his sophomore back. “He really stepped up for us tonight.”
The Sea Kings (4-0) extended the state’s longest winning streak to an impressive 30 games with the win. More importantly, the victory over the Sailors meant back-to-back Battle of the Bay game have gone in favor of the Sea Kings.
“I don’t think we’ve mentioned the streak at all this season,” Meyer said. “It’s sounds really cliché, but we’re always just concerned about our next opponent.”
The Sea Kings jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind a balanced offensive attack.
Moses’ first carry of the game went right up the gut for a 63-yard gain, setting up a Bush 1-yard quarterback keeper.
Bush added a 19-yard touchdown pass to Bo St. Geme minutes later, helping build what looked like a commanding two-touchdown lead early on.
A successful vertical passing attack put the Sailors right back into the thick of things quickly.
Newport Harbor (1-2) quarterback Cole Norris marched his offense 80 yards on the ensuing drive. The senior capped the series with a 41-yard touchdown strike to receiver Riley Gaddis early in the second quarter.
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
