NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Under the Friday night lights and in front of a packed crowd of over 1,000 fans, Corona del Mar High School once again proved its dominance in the annual “Battle of the Bay,” defeating rival Newport Harbor 21–6 in a physical, penalty-filled matchup.
The Sea Kings came out sharp, scoring on their second possession of the night. Junior running back Chase Kucheraopened the scoring midway through the first quarter, breaking free for a 21-yard rushing touchdown to make it 7–0. Quarterback Brady Annett followed with a statement drive early in the second quarter, connecting on a 40-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 14–0.
Newport Harbor quarterback Jordan Spigarelli showed flashes of brilliance for the Sailors, settling in during the second quarter. He led a steady march downfield, highlighted by completions to Shane McKibbin, Jackson Stremick, and Matthew Yamakawa, before finishing the drive himself with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. However, a missed PAT left Newport Harbor trailing 14–6 at the half.
Corona del Mar appeared poised to break the game open early in the third, but a fumble near the goal line gave Newport Harbor life. The Sailors’ defense held strong through much of the second half, but the offense couldn’t sustain drives against a disciplined Sea Kings unit. Annett once again made plays when it mattered most, leading a methodical fourth-quarter drive capped by a 5-yard rushing touchdown to seal the win at 21–6.
Despite Newport Harbor’s late-game surge and multiple long completions from Spigarelli to McKibbin and Stremick, the Sailors couldn’t find the end zone again. Turnovers and penalties stalled their comeback hopes.
With the victory, Corona del Mar keeps bragging rights in the storied Newport rivalry and improves its season mark, while Newport Harbor will look to regroup and clean up execution as league play continues.
Final Score: Corona del Mar 21, Newport Harbor 6
Halftime: CDM 14, NHHS 6
Notables:
- CDM QB Brady Annett: 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD
- NHHS QB Jordan Spigarelli: 1 rushing TD, multiple long completions
- CDM RB Chase Kuchera: 21-yard rushing TD in 1st quarter
With the win, Corona del Mar improved to 7–0, maintaining control of their league title hopes.
The Sea Kings will next face the Villa Park Spartans (4–3) on Friday, October 17, in a key Bravo League matchup after Villa Park’s 42–24 win over Tesoro.
Meanwhile, Newport Harbor drops to 2–5 and will look to rebound at home against San Juan Hills (5–2), who are coming off a decisive 41–17 victory over Yorba Linda.
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