Sailors seeking better fortune
- Share via
The Newport Harbor High football team has outscored opponents, 63-33, this season and nearly doubled foes in yards from scrimmage, 1,115-669.
But the Sailors carry a 2-2 record and a two-game losing streak into tonight’s nonleague game at highly regarded Mira Costa (3-1) of Manhattan Beach.
The Sailors also carry the desire to turn things around before they open Sunset League play Oct. 13 against visiting Esperanza.
“We just need to have something good happen for us to bring that camaraderie together,” said Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley, who in his 21st season at the helm has endured only four previous losing streaks of more than two games, the most recent in 2003.
The Sailors lost to Mira Costa, 23-20, last season in overtime for their second straight loss. Ironically, playing so well against a solid Mira Costa squad sparked a turnaround that helped the Sailors produce eight wins in their next nine games and a CIF Division VI crown.
The Mustangs, ranked No. 4 in the CIF Southern Section Western Division, present an even greater challenge this season, Brinkley said.
“I think it’s the best team we’ve faced this season,” Brinkley said. “It’s the most complete team, in terms of being very physical and having size up front, as well as having some skill guys who can run and do some things.
“I think it’s good for us to play a team like this, because we’ve got to get ready for league. [Mira Costa] played Esperanza tough [a 42-28 loss Sept. 15], so this game should give us a good gauge of where we are right now.”
The Sailors have dominated, statistically, but have committed nine turnovers in consecutive losses to Corona del Mar and Dana Hills.
The Tars were plus-three in turnover margin in their two wins, but are now minus-five.
The Sailors feature junior tailback Ben Frazier and a pair of quarterbacks on offense. Frazier has rushed for 426 yards and five touchdowns on 92 carries.
Senior Kevin Williams has thrown for 264 yards, completing 25 of 38, with four interceptions and one touchdown.
Senior Stephen Peterson has thrown for 256 yards, completing 20 of 34 with one interception and one TD.
The leading receivers are seniors Brice Stillman (14 catches for 212 yards and one TD) and Jarrett Daniel (12 catches for 141 yards and one TD).
Stillman had eight catches for 111 yards in a 19-10 loss to Dana Hills on Sept. 29.
The Sailors have also shown a stout defense that has allowed only three touchdowns. Two of those TDs came on big plays — an 80-yard catch-and-run (Corona del Mar) and an 86-yard run (Dana Hills).
The defense is led by senior All-CIF returners Nick Frazier at middle linebacker and Mike Calabrese at tackle.
Mira Costa, coached by Don Morrow, has wins this season over North Torrance, Narbonne and Beverly Hills. The Mustangs have outscored opponents, 117-73.
This is the third game between the two schools. The series is even, 1-1.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.