Kings of the Bay – Corona Del Mar Wins Battle of the Bay Over Newport Harbor, Score 21-6 (2025)

Costa Mesa – LeBard Stadium (OCC)

The Mariners Telegraph will be going back to 2101 Eastbluff Dr, as the Corona Del Mar football team beat Newport Harbor 21-6 on Saturday at Orange Coast College in the 64th edition of the Battle of the Bay.

By snapping a two-game skid to the Sailors, the Sea Kings are now in sole possession of first place in the Bravo League with three games remaining. They also remained perfect, moving to 7-0 on the season.

The Sailors lead the all-time series 40-24.

Newport Harbor surprised some of the spectators, as they started Jordan Spigarelli over Jake Meer, who eventually was diagnosed with concussion in the previous game against Tesoro. Despite seeing a different quarterback, Corona Del Mar’s defense forced the designated away team to a quick three and out.

The Sea Kings capitalized on the punt, as they put together a 63-yard drive that was capped off by Chase Kuchera’s 27-yard touchdown run, allowing them to strike first.

The Sailors found more success on their next drive, eventually getting into Sea King territory, but after an unsuccessful attempt on 4th and 11, the Sailors turned it over on downs.

Just like the previous drive, Corona Del Mar made Newport Harbor pay, as it used a couple of big runs on their next drive to get them into Newport Harbor territory. Eventually the drive was capped off by Brady Annett finding Garrett James for a 39-yard touchdown pass.

The Sea Kings forced the Sailors to punt again, but unlike the first two drives, they turned the ball over on downs on their next drive failing to convert a fourth and four in the opponent’s territory. The next drive for the Sailors was a promising one, as slowing but surely, Spigarelli marched the offense down the field.

Eventually, the drive was capped off by a touchdown run from Spigarelli to get him his first touchdown as a Sailor and to get Newport Harbor on the board. The extra point was missed and eventually, Corona Del Mar was up 14-6 going into halftime.

The Sea Kings’ first drive of the second half appeared to set the tone, as it eventually got down to the Newport Harbor one-yard line. But on third and goal, Annett fumbled the ball after being brought down, as Ethan Ambat recovered.

Newport Harbor tried to get out from deep within their territory following the takeaway, but Spigarell’s pass was intercepted by Cash Pearsall with it still being in Sailors territory.

Both teams struggled to find offensive success in the second half, but the Sea Kings eventually found paydirt late in the fourth quarter, as Kuchera ran it in from five yards out, The score iced the game, as Corona Del Mar’s defense kept Newport Harbor in check and once the clock reached zero, the Sea King faithful stormed the field knowing that their team owned The Bay again.

The Sailors struggled in the second half offensively, as they were in their own territory throughout most of the half until their final drive. The six points are the fewest they’ve scored this season as the Sea Kings sacked Spigarelli seven times.

To Newport Harbor’s credit, the 21 points that Corona Del Mar had scored were also the fewest points they’ve scored this season, as its defense did all it could throughout most of the game. The Sailors’ defense also sacked Annett two times.

Both teams are back at it this Friday at 7 p.m. on short weeks. The Sea Kings hit the road to play Villa Park at El Modena High billed as the Spartans’ homecoming while the Sailors are back at Davidson Field to play San Juan Hills.