Walz’s Late Touchdown Lifts Sea Kings

WEST HILLS — Extra hustle and intensity will never hurt a football team.

Well, almost never.

It killed Chaminade High on Friday night against Corona del Mar. The Eagles were flagged for a late hit out of bounds on a key third-down play, and the penalty prolonged a drive that led to the winning touchdown in the Sea Kings’ 36-29 victory in a first-round Southern Section Division IV playoff game at Chaminade High.

Corona del Mar’s J.R. Walz, who led all rushers with 150 yards, scored the go-ahead touchdown from four yards with 50 seconds remaining.

The see-saw game was tied, 29-29, midway through the fourth quarter, with Corona del Mar (7-3-1) facing third and seven from its 48.

Sea King quarterback Matt Evans scrambled toward the sideline short of a first down, but was hit by Steve Bruckner out of bounds.

Chaminade (8-3) made one final attempt to drive downfield for a tying score, but Justin Giovannettone fumbled at the Corona del Mar 17 after catching a pass.

Chaminade trailed, 21-6, midway through the second quarter, but took a 29-21 lead in the fourth quarter.

Corona del Mar drove the ball 80 yards for the tying score, then took the ball at its 45 for its final touchdown drive.