Frazier, a workhorse for Tars

IRVINE — In a span of a week during the preseason, Ben Frazier lost the label of third-string tailback. And, in one football game Friday night, the Newport Harbor High junior became better known as the workhorse for the Sailors.

Frazier, who ascended as Newport’s starter in a matter of a week, rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in the Sailors’ 27-0 nonleague win at Irvine High.

Frazier described his rise to the leading man in the Sailors’ running game as, “amazing.”

A a week before the season began, the starting tailback was removed from the team because of academic ineligibility and the backup was let go for disciplinary reasons, Newport Coach Jeff Brinkley said.

“I don’t really know how to explain that,” Frazier said of becoming Newport’s starter. “I just had to step up and do the best I could. I knew the offensive linemen would open up the holes and that’s what they did.”

Even though Frazier was the story on offense, Newport’s defense displayed that it truly is the strength of the team. That defense came away with its second straight shutout to lead the Sailors to a 2-0 record.

At halftime, Newport led, 14-0, but it seemed as if the Sailors were winning by more. By that time, Frazier had gone for 131 yards and a score on 22 carries. The Sailors defense held Irvine to 26 yards and the Vaqueros (1-2) did not pick up their initial first down until 3:33 remained in the half.

Still, Irvine hung around, until a big passing play late in the third quarter.

Quarterback Stephen Peterson connected with Jarrett Daniel for a 47-yard reception that set up Charles Vickery’s one-yard touchdown.

Then, late in the fourth quarter, Frazier scored his second one-yard TD to finalize the scoring.

“He’s a tough kid,” Brinkley said of Frazier. “We’re getting a lot of mileage out of him. He’s plays so hard. He’s been doing a great job, especially considering he was supposed to be the No. 3 guy.”

Frazier must have been hearing that label again midway through the second quarter. Near Irvine’s 12-yard line, he fumbled the ball and the Vaqueros recovered.

But he showed resiliency, coming back quickly when he helped the Sailors on their next scoring drive.

After the Frazier fumble, Newport’s defense kept Irvine pinned deep and, after a 23-yard punt, the Sailors needed just 28 yards to grab a two-touchdown lead.

Frazier gained 25 yards on the drive. And, after a two-yard loss, quarterback Kevin Williams, who alternates with Peterson, threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Daniel.

“I just let that go out of mind and kept on playing,” Frazier said of the fumble.

He also said he kept in mind the hard work he put in in the weight room during the summer.

Frazier’s running helped Newport control the clock and the defense continued to thrive.

The Sailors stuffed Irvine running back Chris Sykes, holding him to 47 yards on 12 carries. He had rushed for 188 and 149 yards in the previous two games.

Last week, the Tars defensive unit helped the Sailors defeat Aliso Niguel, 20-0.

The Sailors moved into the Sunset League and the Vaqueros went into the Pacific Coast League this season.

The two had met in three CIF Southern Section title games since joining the Sea View League in 1992 with Irvine winning two.

Before the game, Irvine Coach Terry Hennigan, in his 27th year, expressed his respect for Newport, saying the Sailors are always well-coached.

“We are ready,” Hennigan said. “They have been ahead of us the past few years. We just want to beat them.”

Brinkley also showed respect for Irvine after the game. Shortly after exchanging a handshake with Hennigan, Brinkley, in his 21st season, made sure his players didn’t get in the way of Hennigan’s.

The Vaqueros came to the same end zone that Newport was in to listen to a postgame speech. Brinkley continually told his players to leave that area.