Corona del Mar Dominant in Season Opener at Downey High School (2021)

Downey – Justice Stadium

The Corona del Mar Sea Kings crushed the Downey Vikings 36-20 in the opening week of the 2021 Sunset League football season.
For the first time since 2019, the Sunset League will play a full fall season, after a year-and-a-half of COVID-19 cancelations and subsequent restrictions. There appeared to be no rust for CdM head coach Dan O’Shea to deal with, as the Sea Kings scored 27 unanswered points in the first half.

CdM, two-years removed from a CIF and 1-A State title, now looks to reestablish itself as the top dog in the Sunset League after the emergence of football programs like Los Alamitos and Edison High School.

With All-Sunset League Second Team running back Evan Sanders out for the game with a leg injury, the Sea Kings relied on the legs of Sophomore RB Colin Pene to get the job done on the ground.

CdM’s head coach was unsure if the backup was 100 percent ready for varsity snaps, but Pene cleared any doubt over his talent after rushing for 127 yards on 24 carries in his first ever varsity start.

“When the lights went on, he was the best we’ve ever seen,” O’Shea said.

Highly-touted junior quarterback David Rasor also had a statement game, rushing in CdM’s first points of the year, and following that up by tossing 3 more touchdowns. Rasor was taken out of the game with 109 passing yards after his team took a commanding lead at the half– Sophomore QB Kaleb Annett replaced him, throwing a touchdown and interception in relief.

The Sea Kings were also able to capitalize on the Vikings’ mistakes, recovering 2 fumbles in the second quarter and forcing a safety late in the game.

CdM will look to continue their momentum forward with the addition of starting RB Evan Sanders, who is set to return August 27th for the team’s next game against Paramount at Newport Harbor High School.