Corona del Mar, Abbott take care of Villa Park

NEWPORT BEACH - A stout defensive effort and the grinding running of junior running back J.D. Abbott helped the Corona del Mar Sea Kings end their nonleague schedule in victorious fashion.

Abbott carried 22 times for 100 yards and a touchdown, while the Sea King defense limited Villa Park to 16 yards rushing in a 17-5 victory Friday at Newport Harbor High.

“I think this was a big win for us,” said Sea King coach Jason Hitchens. “Anytime you win your last nonleague game, it gives you momentum heading into league play.”

The Sea Kings (5-1) put the first points on the board less than five minutes into the game. After recovering a Spartan fumble, sophomore kicker Andrew Boehm booted a 37 yard field goal to give the Sea Kings a 3-0 lead.

The Sea Kings defense then helped set up the first touchdown of the game. A sack by junior Justin Tam forced a Spartan punt deep in their territory. The Sea Kings capitalized five plays later, as senior quarterback Mitch Sands threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Tyler Haly to increase the advantage to 10-0.

The Spartans (2-3) defense helped set up their only points of the first half with less than two minutes remaining. After an interception by senior Parker Roberts, senior quarterback Tyler Watkins completed passes to three different receivers to help set up a 33 yard field goal by senior kicker Andrew Miller, making it 10-3 at the half.

However, the Sea Kings regained the momentum to start the second half, as they embarked on a 12 play, 80 yard drive that took over half the third quarter. Abbott punctuated the drive with a two yard touchdown run, giving Corona del Mar a 17-3 lead.

After a safety narrowed the gap to 17-5 late in the fourth quarter, the Sea King defense stopped the Spartans final drive, and Abbott sealed the win by picking up two crucial first downs to help run out the clock.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com