Norton's three TDs spark Corona del Mar

IRVINE - Corona del Mar senior Dillon Norton celebrated his 18th birthday with a bang Friday night by leading the Sea Kings to a 49-7 Pacific Coast League victory over University at Irvine High.

Norton hauled in two touchdown catches and ran for another score to help the Sea Kings (7-2, 2-1) solidify their playoff hopes. (Full game stats.)

Norton had four catches for 108 yards and rushed for 41 yards on three carries.

"You couldn't have asked for more than a win and a good game on my part too," Norton said.

"It was my birthday, so I wanted to come out and have a good game."

Norton started the scoring when he pulled in a 827-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Sands in the first quarter.

The Sea Kings then scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and capped the victory with Norton's 15-yard touchdown run with 9:31 left in the game.

Norton didn't win it by himself. Sands completed 14 of 21 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns, and J.D. Abbott scored three touchdowns.

"We seemed to be operating quite efficiently," Corona del Mar coach Jason Hitchens said. "Dillon played well, and Mitch Sands did a good job of getting the ball to him.

"The offensive line blocked well, obviously, to give Mitch the time to get the ball to him, so I thought all the way around, some individuals were in the spotlight, but I thought collectively we played pretty well."

The Sea Kings defense was also solid and recorded three interceptions against University (4-4, 0-2).

Corona del Mar led, 28-0, at halftime.

University showed some life when quarterback Elliott Martin connected with Omar Cook on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 8:10 left in the third quarter.

But Corona del Mar dominated after that.

"I had some concerns in the first half because toward the end of the half I started to think we weren't playing with the same intensity that we came out with," University coach Mark Cunningham said.

"I really don't care what the score is, I want our kids to play with a deep intensity and get after it, and I didn't see that. I felt better about the second half."

The Trojans were led by Martin, who completed 12 of 22 passes for 154 yards.

• Click here for full game stats and links to season totals and team rosters.