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ANAHEIM — Signs of Corona del Mar’s football success can be spotted at some prestigious spots.
Seven trips to the CIF Southern Section finals the past 12 years jump off the pages of the section record book. Alum Ethan Garbers sits atop the UCLA depth chart at quarterback with the Big Ten Conference on the horizon.
And on Thursday, Corona del Mar signaled that more achievement appears on the way.
Wide receiver Dorsett Stecker caught three touchdowns and the Sea Kings continued to play stingy defense en route to a 47-14 victory against Cypress in a nonleague game at Western High.
Corona del Mar’s Jason Barber (22) breaks up a pass in the end zone during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Dorsett Stecker (0) waits for a touchdown pass during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Colton Eggleston (19) sacks Cypress’ Keiran Edmundson (9) during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Dorsett Stecker (0) stretches for extra yards during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Matthew Baldonado (29) tries to find some running room during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Dorsett Stecker (0) snags the first touchdown of the game in front of Cypress’ Jaiden Anthony (24)during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Wyatt Lucas (2) breaks loose for a touchdown during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Aziz Altuwaijri (77) smothers Corona del Mar’s Zach Giuliano (81) after a touchdown during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ cheering section during the Star Spangle Banner before a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Max Nashed (5) throws down field during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Bryson Busbee (5) gives extra effort during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Bryson Busbee (5) picks up some yardage during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ flag squad practices before a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ Keiran Edmundson (9) attempts a pass during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s Brady Annett (4) turns up field for a first down during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ cheer squad line up for the national anthem before a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar’s head coach Kevin Hettig instructs Corona del Mar’s Kyle Sterm (18) during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Cypress’ head coach Rick Feldman doesn’t like a call during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
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Corona del Mar’s Jason Barber (22) breaks up a pass in the end zone during a high school football game between Corona del Mar High and Cypress High on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 at Western High School…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)
Corona del Mar (2-0), ranked No. 14 in Orange County, led 31-0 at halftime behind Stecker, quarterback Max Nashed and tight end Zach Giuliano. The lead swelled to 47-0 in the third quarter as quarterback Brady Annett helped Corona del Mar evoke the running clock for the final period.
Corona del Mar, which beat Rancho Verde 21-0 in its opener last week, didn’t allow any points for the three quarters and sent Cypress (1-1) to intermission without a first down.
It was an impressive display from a team that finished as the CIF-SS Division 4 runner-up last season to eventual state champion La Serna.
Corona del Mar accomplished it all without Fresno State-committed tight end Sebastien Boydell (hamstring).
“We’re very, very talented,” said Stecker, a junior who has caught five touchdowns in two games. “We’re also a very young group so we’re just going to improve toward the end of the season.”
“We were very physical today,” he added. “Great team win. Everyone played well.”
Stecker finished with seven receptions for 143 yards.
Nashed, a first-year starter, completed 14 of 19 passes for 138 yards and three TDs before giving away to Annett in the second half. Annett tossed two touchdowns, including a 52-yard strike to Stecker.
Stecker forecasted a big performance on the first play from scrimmage. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide out caught a short pass from Nashed and broke about three tackles before pushing the pile for a 29-yard gain to the Cypress 26.
Nashed capped the drive with a 4-yard TD pass to Stecker.
After Corona del Mar’s defense forced a quick punt, Stecker punctuated the next possession with a 28-yard touchdown reception after lining up in the slot.
Corona del Mar’s defense and special teams contributed key plays. Junior defensive lineman Colton Eggleston recorded a sack in the first half that led a punt and a 27-yard field goal Joseph DiBella.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Sea Kings recovered a bouncing ball at the Cypress 19 that set up a 4-yard TD catch by Giuliano, who is committed to Stanford.
Corona del Mar outgained Cypress 329-126.
“(Our defense) was running around swarming,” Corona del Mar coach Kevin Hettig said. “And offensively, that was the cleanest … performance we’ve had in a long time.”
Cypress, ranked No. 24 in Orange County, is rebuilding with two returning starters on offense and three on defense.
Speedy junior running back Bryson Busbee snapped the shutout with a 70-yard TD run with about nine minutes left in the fourth.
“In the games we have a chance (to win), we have to take advantage,” Cypress coach Rick Feldman said before the game.
Next week, Corona del Mar continues to prepare for the Bravo League by playing at Palos Verdes on Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m. Cypress will prep for the Delta League by playing host to Mayfair on Sept. 6 at Western High.
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