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Corona del Mar football coach Kevin Hettig felt his program needed to “reset” its culture after last season.
Yes, the Sea Kings were hit with injuries as they finished 4-6 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009. But Hettig had concerns about how the program responded to adversity.
“We needed to kind of find ourselves again,” the third-year coach said. “Make it about not what we look like on paper but how about we play.”
“There’s always going to be some sort of adversity you face throughout a year,” he added. “It was in the face of those injuries how we responded. In the face of some of the disappointments how we responded. That’s where we missed last year.”
The reboot began in January with the creation of a leadership class that players needed to apply for to join. The gatherings, led by Hettig and strength coach Chad Smith, required reading and “hard conversations”, Hettig said.
“What does accountability mean?” he said. “What does integrity mean? What does toughness mean? What does selfless mean?”
Twenty-eight players spanning different grade levels joined the class, and the results have been impressive.
Corona del Mar enters its Battle of the Bay game against Newport Harbor on Saturday with a 6-0 record.
The Sea Kings are ranked No. 10 in Orange County after an eye-opening 33-10 victory against San Juan Hills last week in their Bravo League opener.
The leadership class, Hettig said, helped developed “spiritual leaders” such as center Judah Snow, lineman Damian Zeno-Herrera, quarterback Brady Annett, linebacker Cash Pearsall, defensive back Will Chavez and defensive back Canon Cook.
Hettig points to Corona del Mar’s 28-27 win earlier in the season at Santa Barbara as a prime example of his team’s growth.
The Sea Kings committed four turnovers in the first half and trailed by 27-7 before rallying.
“If we didn’t have that backbone, we crumble,” Hettig said. “That showed our kids a lot about who they are.”
While the play and health of Annett has been a key on the field, the Sea Kings have received contributions from several players.
Hettig calls the Sea Kings’ defensive line “the nameless guys” who have produced. The group features Zeno-Herrera, who recorded a safety against San Juan Hills.
The defense is coordinated by Brian Pearsall, who is the uncle of leading tackler Cash Pearsall. Cash Pearsall’s father is former Villa Park standout Grant Pearsall (USC).
Corona del Mar has climbed in the rankings but aims to stay focused against rival Newport Harbor (2-4, 0-1). Saturday’s game is set for Orange Coast College at 7:30 p.m.
“We turned the page pretty quick on San Juan Hills and re-centered on Newport Harbor,” Hettig said. “We just have to play hard.”
CALVARY CHAPEL RISING AGAIN
Calvary Chapel (6-0, 1-0) has matched the best start in school history entering its Sigma League clash against Estancia (5-1, 1-0) at Segerstrom High on Thursday.
The Eagles, led by coach Jack McInally, are 6-0 for the first time since 2019 when they started 6-0 under McInally’s father, Pat.
“I still call him almost every day,” Jack McInally said of his father, the former Villa Park and Cincinnati Bengals standout who moved to Ohio last year. “I’m so blessed to have such a great mentor and man as my father.”
Jack McInally said Calvary Chapel was excited about this season with the return of nine starters on defense. The unit, coordinated by coach Justin Nicholls, is led by linebacker Waldo Castrejon and defensive back Daniel Nieves.
Sophomore quarterback Colin Wiles is showing weekly improvement, McInally said.
SHORT ROUTES
Orange County’s four other remaining undefeated teams are Los Alamitos (7-0), Crean Lutheran (6-0), Dana Hills (6-0) and Laguna Beach (6-0). …
Mater Dei coach Raul Lara said freshman linebacker Sosene Schuster reminds him of Mike Pollard, who played for Lara at Long Beach Poly before heading to USC. “I think he’s going to be one of the best linebackers who has come around in a long time,” Lara said of Schuster, who leads the Monarchs with 27 tackles. “He’s got that potential right now. He’s still young.” Schuster is the cousin of former Long Beach Poly standout wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. …
Mater Dei tight end and USC commit Mark Bowman (6-5, 235) said one of the reasons he reclassified to join the class of 2026 was his desire to play college football next season. “I didn’t want to play four years of varsity football,” he said. “I just thought (reclassifying) was the best thing for my family and I to do. It was the opportunity that presented itself.” Bowman has been taking extra classes online to complete his high school requirements by December. …
Irvine coach Tom Ricci said the Vaqueros expected Sina Saferzadeh to excel at linebacker but said the senior’s play at quarterback has been a surprise. “He’s a true dual threat,” Ricci said of Saferzadeh, who has passed for 857 yards and rushed for 410 yards. …
Former Kennedy standout Rhema McKnight (Notre Dame) is on the coaching staff at Sunny Hills. …
Under-the-radar game of the week: Anaheim (3-3, 1-0) at Costa Mesa (5-1, 1-0) on Friday could decide the Tango League title. Anaheim is the defending league champion.