Youth Flag Football: Titans take the title

NEWPORT BEACH - The Newport Heights Titans defeated Laguna Hills,

29-14, to place first in the B Division for fifth- and sixth-graders at

the Orange County Municipal Athletic Association youth flag football

tournament at Bonita Creek Park Dec. 2.

Newport’s defense forced Laguna Hills’ passing game into two

interceptions, one by Preston Davey, and another recovered by Niko

Hernandez who returned it for a touchdown.

Nathan Castillo had two sacks and made numerous stops. Leading the way

up front were T.J. Sawyer, Freddy Randall and Christian Hoagland.

The Titans took a 29-0 lead at halftime, but Laguna Hills scored twice

early in the third quarter to cut Newport’s lead to 29-14.

Newport answered with a 60-yard drive on 10 plays over a span of eight

minutes.

Dusty Campbell, who had a 10-yard touchdown reception earlier in the

game, caught a pass from Justin Jones late in the contest for a first

down to secure the win. Hernandez was voted the outstanding player of the

tournament.

Also contributing to the victory were Brandon Davis, Chris Castillo

and Austin Murray.

The Titans defeated San Clemente in the first round, 16-10, and beat

Saddleback Valley in the second round, 13-6. In the semifinal, the Titans

breezed to a 29-6 victory over OrangeNewport, coached by John Richards,

will compete in Garden Grove for the Southern California Championship.

In third- and fourth-grade action:

* Andersen’s Vikings defeated Laguna Hills to win the Orange County

Championsip. Players on the Vikings include Jack Cooper, Connor Gaughan,

Brent Gray, Zachary Haber, John Pastre, Hugh Russell, Mattias

Russo-Larsen, Derek Satterfield, Cole Satterfield, Spencer Schmider, Alex

Swigert, Chip Zucker and Peter Weidner.

The Vikings, coached by Homayon Iraninezhad and Josh Manansala, will

compete in Lomita for the Southern California Championship.