MaxPreps 2013 CIF State Bowl Preview: Division III, Sacred Heart Prep vs. Corona del Mar

Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton) (13-1) vs. Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) (15-0)
Noon Saturday at StubHub Center in Carson


Rankings
Sacred Heart Prep: 62 state, 551 national.
Corona del Mar: 65 state, 564 national.

Notable alumni
Sacred Heart Prep: Jenny Circle and Renee Robison (led girls basketball team to four-straight NorCal titles), John Opperheimer (Yale football), Troy Dalbey (Olympic gold medalist swimmer), Jeff Kostoff (Olympic swimmer).
Corona del Mar: John Ireland (sportscaster), Matt Keough (MLB), Lars Ulrich (drummer of Metallica), Tumua Anae (Olympic water polo goalie), Kelly Rutherford (actress).

Leading rushers
Sacred Heart Prep: Andrew Segre (223 carries, 1444 yards, 20 touchdowns), Ben Burr-Kirven (43-381-10).
Corona del Mar: Cole Martin (272-1,718-21), Anthony Battista (141-984-8).

Leading passers
Sacred Heart Prep: Mason Randall (86 of 136, 1320 yards, 11 touchdowns, 7 interceptions).
Corona del Mar: Luke Napolitano (190 of 299-2572-23-9).

Leading receivers
Sacred Heart Prep: Mitch Martella (33 catches, 413 yards, 3 touchdowns), Andrew Daschbach (25-423-5).
Corona del Mar: Cole Collins (59-995-8), Bo St. Geme (58-733-7).

Points per game (allowed)
Sacred Heart Prep: 35.4 (8.8)
Corona del Mar: 34.7 (9.3)

If you want solid, sure-tackling, fundamental football at its best, then the Division III Bowl Game might just be the best of the bunch.

These teams are mirror images in regards to scoring averages and stout defenses, though there is one major difference. Corona del Mar boasts a roster of 76 and Sacred Heart Prep a mere 29. That could be the difference in a drag-out, emotional, fierce game like this promises to be, but Sacred Heart Prep has succeeded with a small roster all season.

It culminated with a stunning 42-7 win last week over an El Cerrito team that was regarded as one of the most talented in Northern California, regardless of division. El Cerrito featured upward of seven Division I recruits, including three who were ranked among the top 20 senior prospects in the state by 247Sports.

With no Division I recruits among its senior class, and only Burr-Kirven among its junior class, SHP used its fly offense and Ben-Kirven’s speed to race to a 28-0 lead and El Cerrito could never recover. Most figured a 42-7 score would be in favor of El Cerrito, but the Gators, winners of three Central Coast Section titles in four years, were confident and prepared to pull the upset. Just not by that score.

“That was definitely the best I’ve ever seen us play,” said Burr-Kirven, who rushed for 161 yards and four touchdowns. “Everyone seemed locked in. They understood the magnitude of the moment.

“Before the game (El Cerrito) was sort of laughing at us. They were clapping their hands and joking around. We didn’t let it get to us. … They didn’t know what was coming. They weren’t ready for us. There was a little talk (from EC) in the first quarter, but then we jumped out. They stopped talking to us and started yelling at each other. They were in their own heads. They couldn’t get into ours.”

No one is going to get into the heads of the Corona del Mar players, who play for a three-time defending Southern Section champion that is one of only two 15-0 teams in the state (the other is St. John Bosco).

The Sea Kings weren’t perfect in a 24-8 regional title win over Nordhoff, but a couple blocked punts and a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown by Matt Deverian paved the way.

Nordhoff coach Tony Henney summed up what SHP coach Pete Lavorato has been saying all week.

“They’re extremely well-coached, they don’t make a whole lot of mistakes, and they really don’t have a weakness,” Henney told Martin Henderson of the Newport Beach Patch. “There’s not a guy on the team that you look at and say, 'There’s the weak link, let’s go after that guy.’ They’re really sound.”


The Gators don’t hide what they do, but it’s still very hard to stop. Utilizing a lot of ball fakes, misdirection and team speed, SHP will keep running the fly even when trailing.

“When Corona del Mar gets in a little trouble, they have the luxury to pass,” Lavorato said. “We’ll keep doing what we do.”

Segre was forced into the workhorse role two weeks ago in a CCS final when second-leading rusher Ricky Grau went out with a season-ending hand injury. He proceeded to rush for a school-record 360 yards and six touchdowns in a 56-21 win over Pacific Grove.

Last week, Lavorato, who believes in playing kids just one way, brought in Burr-Kirven to combat El Cerrito’s speed. The 6-1, 200-pound junior linebacker and running back, with 4.5 speed in the 40, scored on runs of 9, 45, 1 and 7 yards.

Look for Segre and Burr-Kirven to split carries on Saturday behind a stout offensive line led by seniors Patrick Finnigan (6-2, 225) and Alex Castro (6-1, 200).

Sophomore quarterback Randall has been a pleasant surprise and passes usually when teams least expect it.

With four shutouts, Corona del Mar is definitely hard to fool. The Sea Kings allowed a touchdown or less in eight of 15 games and are led 6-2, 190-pound junior defensive end Parker Chase who has recorded 92 tackles on one side of the ball and 16 sacks. He had five sacks in a 42-21 win over Garden Grove for the section title.

The team’s other defensive end Harrison Carter (6-2, 200) has recorded 10.5 sacks himself to go along with 63 tackles. Other top tacklers are Hoyt Crance (92), Hugh Crance (80) and Robby Hoffman (78).

“They’re in the right place, they tackle well and they gang tackle,” Lavorato said. “This will be a big test.”


The Sea Kings have been consistent all season, led by senior quarterback Napolitano (6-4, 200), who has not only thrown for 23 scores, but he’s rushed for 12.

Martin, a 5-10, 185-pound junior, started fast with a season-high 201-yard performance versus Pacifica. He’s been held primarily in check the last two weeks, combining for just 141 yards on 38 carries and one touchdown. But Battista, only a sophomore, picked up some serious slack versus Garden Grove with 163 yards rushing on just 11 carries and Napolitano and Max Chozen each ran for two scores.

Napolitano also does a nice job going to his primary two receivers St. Geme and Collins.

“They’re very well balanced,” Burr-Kirven said. “That makes them tough to defend.”

Lavorato moved Burr-Kirven from defensive end to linebacker this season and the result has been game- and season-changing. Burr-Kirven has recorded a staggering 184 tackles, though he’s got plenty of help from junior linebacker Andrew Robinson (110 tackles) and senior Paul Westcott. Defensive end Noah Kawasaki is a force at one defensive end spot.

Burr-Kirven and Riley Tinsley lead the team with four interceptions each.

SHP runs a defense based on a “wrong arm” technique. It’s built on confusing the offense. “We try to make teams do what they don’t want to do,” Lavorato said.


Lavorato played 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League as a strong safety. He helped the Edmonton Eskimos win five Grey Cup titles. … Lavorato, who has coached 30 years, called Burr-Kirven “the best high school player I’ve ever coached.” … Win or lose, the Gators are going to Disneyland on Sunday. …  St. Geme told Henderson: “We have a special group of guys and knew at the beginning of the season it could develop into something. Actually seeing it in place is fun to watch, it’s fun to be a part of.”