CdM, Again, Wins Record-Setting Battle of the Bay Game vs. Newport Harbor (2021)

Newport Beach – Davidson Field

The 60th edition of the Battle of the Bay has its place in the history books as Corona del Mar extends it winning streak to a series-record nine in a row over arch rival Newport Harbor. With a playoff berth in the balance for both teams, the Sea Kings overcame four Sailors interceptions in a mostly defensive, intensely competitive first two quarters to score 21 unanswered points in the second half and pull away for the 35-12 victory.

CdM was the designated travel team at Davidson Field where both teams play their home games. Harbor started with the energy of a junkyard dog defending its turf, turning a Garrett Emerson interception and 44-yard runback into the first points on the scoreboard. Sophomore Jon Richardson’s 35-yard field goal gave NHHS its only lead of the night at 3-0.

After throwing another interception on CdM’s second possession, Sea Kings quarterback David Rasor redeemed himself quickly. His 24-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Mannon midway through the first quarter was followed by a successful onside kick recovered by Mason Kubichek. Rasor then dashed 23-yards up the middle on a quarterback keep to put the Sea Kings up 14-3.

Richardson’s second field goal of the night shaved the lead before the Sailors added momentum going into halftime. AJ Guitron-Moore hit Josiah Lamarque on a downfield hitch pattern, and after sidestepping his coverage, the sophomore receiver outraced two more defenders to the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown. The incomplete two-point conversion try left it at 14-12 CdM at half.

A Jack Salmon interception flipped the momentum back to CdM early in the third quarter. Running a more ground-oriented game plan in the second half, the Sea Kings relied on Rasor and runningback Evan Sanders to control possessions with quick strikes through the air to extend the lead. After rushing for a couple of first downs, Rasor hit Sanders out of the backfield for a 12-yard TD to stretch the lead to 21-12. A Rasor to John Tipton 38-yard scoring strike was the back breaker on the Back Bay. Rasor and Sanders connected again in the fourth quarter on the same short pass play in the left flat that turned into a 45-yard catch & carry for the final score. Sea King defensive back Colin Post gets the 2nd CdM interception of the night (the 6th interception of the game – that’s not a typo), while leading 35-12 with two minutes left as fans headed for the exit.

The Sea Kings improve to 3-2 in Sunset League play, 8-2 overall and clinch a playoff berth with a minimum top-3 finish in the conference. The Sailors see their 2-game win streak ended, dropping to 2-3 in Sunset games, and 3-7 overall with its playoff hopes on life support. Harbor faces powerful Los Alamitos on the road in its final game on the schedule next Friday night. Corona del Mar returns to Davidson Field to close out the regular season against Fountain Valley.