Corona Del Mar Improves to 5-0 with Win over Trabuco Hills, Score 35-13 (2025)

Mission Viejo – Mustang Stadium (THHS)

The Corona Del Mar football team remained undefeated as they took down Trabuco Hills 35-13 on Friday at Trabuco Hills High School.

In winning their fifth straight game, the Sea Kings improved to 5-0, guaranteeing themselves a .500 record in the event they have to apply as an at-large team for the CIF-SS playoffs. They also have surpassed last year’s win total and have won six straight against the Mustangs dating back to 2015.

After Corona Del Mar forced Trabuco Hills to go three and out, they capitalized using great runs from Chase Kuchera, who capped off the drive with a 1-yard score. On the Mustangs’ next drive, the Sea Kings forced a sack on fourth down and took over in Mustangs’ territory.

Corona Del Mar continued to use the run game on their next drive, as they eventually ran it in from 11 yards out from Trejan Nixon. On Trabuco Hills’ next drive, they got down to the Corona Del Mar 19 and went for it on fourth down, but was stopped short with Canon Cook making the tackle to stop the receiver short.

The Mustangs didn’t get on the board until right before halftime when quarterback Jackson Verplanck found Joshua Fitch for a red zone score. But by the time that score occurred, the Sea Kings led 21-6.

Corona Del Mar’s defense continued to terrorize Verplanck, a freshman quarterback making his second start, in the third quarter. Eventually, the Sea Kings got the ball back and scored, as Brady Annett found Dorsett Stecker toward the endzone for a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Corona Del Mar iced the game when Kuchera ran it for a 46-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, en route to winning their fifth straight game.

“Huge shout out to the O-line and Trejan Nixon, he’s the other running back. He [Nixon] helps me get better everyday and we’re just a great duo and love to have him,” Kuchera said regarding Nixon and the offensive line.

The Sea Kings return to action Friday when they host San Juan Hills in their Bravo League opener. Last year, the Sea Kings fell to the Stallions on the road 27-24 in a game which saw Annett start the second half and nearly lead his team to a comeback.

“You can expect everyone flying around, lots of turnovers, lots of touchdowns. They’re a great team [San Juan Hills] they’re probably one of the best teams we’ve played this year, but I think we’re going to be very very right on everything,” Stecker said.