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San Juan Hills football survives big rally by Corona del Mar to win Bravo League debut

October 5, 2024

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — San Juan Hills appeared to be in total control during the first half of the Bravo League football opener against Corona del Mar Friday at San Juan Hills High School.

After taking a three-score lead while holding the Sea Kings scoreless in the first half, the Stallions found themselves in a down-to-the wire battle.

A late takeaway wound up being the difference for the Stallions, who hung on for a 31-28 victory.

“If you’re in this league, it means you’re a very good football program with very good coaches,” San Juan Hills coach Robert Frith said. “Every single program in the Bravo League has coaches that are very experienced and so it’s no surprise that Corona Del Mar was able to make adjustments and really challenge us there at the end.”

The Stallions (5-1, 1-0) led 17-0 at the half before Corona del Mar (3-3, 0-1) received the second half kickoff and drove 67 yards, with quarterback Brady Annett’s 5-yard touchdown run getting the Sea Kings on board.

San Juan Hills quarterback Timmy Herr hit Elijah Ayala for a 12-yard touchdown on the ensuing possession to build the Stallions lead back up to 17.

Annett then connected with James Garrett for a 4-yard score on the Sea Kings’ next possession to cut the lead to 10 again.

The Sea Kings then got huge momentum boost when linebacker Breck Clemmer delivered a solid hit on Herr, jarring the ball loose.

Defensive tackle Damien Zeno-Herrera grabbed the loose ball out of the air before it ever touched the ground and ran it in for a 25-yard touchdown.

The Sea Kings had possession and were trailing by three with eight minutes, 56 seconds remaining in the game.

This time, it was the Stallions who made the big play on defense when defensive back Chris Williams caused a fumble with a hit on a receiver after a completed pass.

Linebacker Greg Blomdahl made the recovery for the Stallions, who converted the takeaway to an 11-yard touchdown run from Ayala with two minutes, 38 seconds left.

The Sea Kings scored on a 22-yard pass from Annett to Emori Davis, but there were only 56 seconds left and the Stallions recovered the ensuing onside kick.

Herr finished with 156 yards passing and two touchdowns on 17 attempts and Ayala rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

One of Ayala’s runs went for 73 yards, which the Stallions converted into a field goal.

Annett completed 11 of 12 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, all in the second half.

The Stallions came into the contest having held three nonleague opponents to nine points or less.

After forcing the Sea Kings to punt on all five of their first half possessions, it appeared there might be a similar outcome for the Stallions.

“Whoever wins league, or even comes in second or third, they’re battle tested,” Frith said. “I’m not surprised that this game was as close as it was.”

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