BATTLE OF THE BAY XLVI:

Newport Beach — So it began upside down.

After losing the bell last year to Corona del Mar High, Newport Harbor was ready to take a win in the 46th Battle of the Bay any way it could get one.

And “any way” meant it didn’t matter that the Sailors’ defense would put more touchdowns on the board in the first half than its offense in Newport Harbor’s 41-7 victory over Corona del Mar Thursday night.

Click here for photos.

It was obvious when the last few seconds ticked off the clock that no one cared how it was done, and the Newport Harbor fans — visitors in their own stadium — let out a rabid, ear-crushing roar.

“We did have a sour taste in our mouth for the last year,” said Newport Harbor head coach Jeff Brinkley. “You know, we would like to try and be the dominant school in our district and we don’t like to lose games like that. So obviously, for the last year, yeah, it does bother you. So we needed to re-establish ourselves.”

The Sailors (2-1) scored two touchdowns on interceptions in the second quarter before a packed house — roughly 5,500 — at Davidson Field.

In the best game of his career, JB Green intercepted a pass for an 18-yard touchdown return.

Less than two minutes later, Danny Miller had a 25-yard interception return to make the score 21-0.

But the Sailors missed all three extra-point attempts in the first half, though Dillan Freiberg easily cleared a 37-yard field goal.

The Sailors now lead the historic series, 33-13.

Green and the Newport Harbor defense had a banner game. Green finished with two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, and a 61-yard touchdown reception. The defense recorded three sacks — including two by Chase Obenauer.

For at least 45 minutes prior to kickoff, Corona del Mar Coach Dick Freeman had the Sea Kings (1-3) not just warming up on the field, but running through the offense.

The offense stayed, with red nylon caps on their helmets, until 12 minutes were left before kickoff, but it didn’t make much difference, as the Sea Kings found the end zone once all night.

After picking apart the Sea King’s offense, Newport Harbor practically gave them a touchdown with no time left in the first half, Corona del Mar’s only score of the evening.

A 15-yard pass interference call gave the Sea Kings a first down and the ball at the Sailors’ 15-yard line.

Hunter Alder completed an 11-yard pass to Ali Meshkin, and then Newport relinquished two more yards on another pass interference penalty.

Alder closed out the first half with a clock-beating touchdown pass to Meshkin. CdM trailed, 21-7, at the half.

Tailback Ben Frazier, who had been the Sailors’ workhorse since the beginning of the season, getting the majority of carries, limped off the field during Harbor’s first series after suffering an injury to his left knee.

He did not return, and spent the rest of the evening on the sideline on crutches.

“I was going out for a run on the right side, and I was getting tackled, and my left leg bent outward from the knee,” Frazier said.

Frazier, who had 43 yards on seven carries, said he suspected he injured his left medial collateral ligament, and will be examined by a doctor today.

Michael Helfrich took over the brunt of the running duties for the Sailors, and finished with 43 yards on 11 carries.

“It’s nice to win,” Brinkley said. “You can see how excited the community and the school are over this and that’s a great thing. We love to see this kind of excitement. And a crowd like this is fantastic.”

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or at [email protected].

SCORE BY QUARTERS

SECOND QUARTER

NH – Helfrich 10 run (kick failed), 10:48.

NH – Freiberg 37 field goal, 5:46.

NH – Green 18 interception return (kick failed), 4:05.

NH – Miller 25 interception return (kick failed), 3:12.

CdM – Meshkin 2 pass from Alder (Lewis kick), 0:00.

THIRD QUARTER

NH –Green 45 interception return (kick failed), 7:40.

NH – Green 61 pass from McDonald (Freiberg kick), 1:21.

FOURTH QUARTER

NH – Greene 4 run (Freiberg kick), 2:10.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

NH – Frazier 7-43; Helfrich 11-43, 1 TD; Green 2-11; Kula 1-10; Jones 1-7; Miller 1-5; McDonald 1-4; Yokoyama 5-4.

CdM – Raiger 6-31; Tam 2-15; Lamons 1-5; Rask 3-5; Abbott 1-4; Swigert 1-3; Haly 1-2; Harmon 6-minus-3; Alder 1-minus-5.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

NH – McDonald 5-7-0, 99, 1TD.

CdM – Alder 10-17-3, 59; Sands 2-3-2, 14.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

NH – Green 1-61; Jones 1-20; Pyle 1-10; Whiteside 1-7; Helfrich 1-1.

CdM – Meshkin 6-45; Harmon 1-10; Gormly 2-8; Haase 1-8.