CdM muscles into CIF

"We have a nose guard who is 135 pounds, and we only have one guy who weighs more than 200 on our defensive line," University Coach Mark Cunningham said. "When you have matchups like that, you better be quick, strong and aggressive, or you're going to get blown off the ball. And [the latter] is what happened."

University (5-5, 3-3) is eligible for the division's lone at-large berth, which will be announced along with playoff pairings Sunday. But Cunningham wasn't in much of a mood to consider his postseason chances.

"When you lose, 47-17, to the third place team ... ," Cunningham said.

It was 13-0 after the first quarter, as Loyd capped a seven-play, 65-yard CdM drive with a 3-yard run and Johnson bolted 32 yards to finish a six-play, 63-yard procession. The latter drive was set up by Loyd's pass interception at his own 28-yard line.

After University's Louis Feinstein made a 34-yard field goal, the Trojans appeared to force the Sea Kings to punt. But the Trojans were flagged for too many men on the field on the would-be punt and the 5-yard penalty gave Corona del Mar just enough for a first down.

Two plays later, Loyd burst 76 yards off tackle for a touchdown. Charlie Albright added the conversion kick and it was 21-3.

The Sea Kings drove 69 yards on seven plays with its final first-half possession. Loyd did the honors from 2 yards out to finalize the 27-3 halftime score.

CdM picked up where it left off after fielding the second-half kickoff. The visitors went 65 yards on five plays, with Mohler connecting with Hillgren on a 30-yard scoring pass to effectively end the game with 9:27 left in the third quarter.

Hillgren fielded a short toss near the line of scrimmage on the play and broke two tackles on his way to the end zone.

Mohler, who alternated at quarterback with Colin Wigley, threw 15 yards to Fenton over the middle for another touchdown with 3:41 left in the game. The Fenton touchdown reception capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive that added an exclamation point to the Sea Kings' offensive prowess.

"The offense finally had a good game," Mohler said of the convincing win. "I think we needed a big boost going into the playoffs. We don't know who we'll play, but it's going to be a tough game."

The Sea Kings' second straight trip to the postseason figures to be a first-round road date, most likely against a league champion.

But Freeman said his team may now have the confidence to succeed in the playoffs.