Coronado defense, ground game dominate Del Sol

Coronado limited Del Sol to 156 yards of offense and intercepted three passes on the way to a 17-0 road victory over the Dragons on Thursday night.

It was the second shutout for the Cougars (3-4, 1-4 Southeast League), who have allowed a total of seven points in the past two games after allowing 80 in the previous two.

Coronado was especially effective bottling up Del Sol running back Chris Marshall, who ran for 317 yards last week against Foothill. The Cougars held Marshall to 79 yards on 23 carries, and his longest gain was 11 yards.

Coronado, meanwhile, moved the ball well on the ground, compiling 206 yards. Chris Johnson had 98 on 18 carries.

The Cougars took the lead on their second possession, driving 65 yards on 10 plays, capped by a 2-yard keeper by Kevin Lucero.

Coronado got a break with 1:23 to play in the half when an ill-advised fake punt by Del Sol (3-4, 1-3) on fourth-and-20 gave the Cougars the ball at the Del Sol 10. Chris Laliberte kicked a 24-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

Fittingly, Coronado's defense accounted for the last score when linebacker Cory Sobczyk stepped in front of a Nathan Kirschbaum pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown with 3:44 remaining.

Damon Goldhammer and Jason Warren also made interceptions for the Cougars, who overcame four turnovers.