Sailors thump Vikings

WESTMINSTER — After visiting Newport Harbor High scored on all seven of its first-half possessions, the Sunset League football game against Marina was all over but the howling.

But the Sailors eventually worked that in, too, celebrating vocally after seldom-used senior Joel Zisholtz capped the scoring with a one-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown to seal the 49-0 romp Friday at Westminster High.

It was, however, somewhat of an anticlimax for the Sailors, who seized a 36-0 halftime lead, then watched their reserves have success, as well.

The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Tars (5-4, 2-2 in league), and extended Marina’s league losing streak to 25 games.

It also put the Sailors in position to earn at least a share of second place in league, if they can defeat Esperanza Friday at Valencia High.

Junior tailback Cedric Whitaker gashed the Vikings for 138 yards on 13 first-half carries, including a 55-yard saunter on which he appeared to be toying with would-be tacklers. He also had a 17-yard touchdown reception.

Junior quarterback Austin Rios saw three short completions turn into touchdown passes as he completed nine of 16 for 102 yards, with no interceptions.

Senior Dillan Freiberg also stood out, kicking field goals of 49, 37 and 35 yards and launching seven of his 10 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. He also averaged 43.5 yards on his two punts, bouncing one out of bounds at the Vikings’ three.

The Newport Harbor defense also had its share of heroes, as it posted its first shutout of the season. It was, in fact, the first time since 2006 the Sailors blanked an opponent, a span of 36 games.

Outside linebacker Steve Michaelsen and cornerback Kory Cablay, both sophomores, had interceptions for Newport Harbor.

Michaelsen also recovered a fumble caused by safety Buzzy Yokoyama, while Cameron Koziarn had one of the Sailors’ three sacks and deflected the pass that Michaelsen picked.

Outside linebacker Tory Morgan and noseguard Ted Steffel also added sacks, while linebackers Cecil Whiteside, Austin Turner and Ryan Iverson also wade waves for the Marina offense.

Sophomore tailback A.J. Sweis produced 130 rushing yards off the bench for the Sailors, who produced an even 400 yards of total offense.

Marina totaled just 94 yards and only reached Newport Harbor territory on one possession.

That instance was set up by a muffed punt reception that the Vikings recovered at midfield.

The hosts (1-8, 0-4) moved the ball to the Tars’ 30-yard line, before producing an errant 47-yard field-goal try.

Newport Harbor 49, Marina 0

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Newport 10-26-7-6--49

Marina 0-0-0-0--0

FIRST QUARTER

NH – Freiberg 49 FG, 7:10.

NH – Whitaker 55 run (Freiberg kick), 1:54.

SECOND QUARTER

NH – Freiberg 37 FG, 8:12.

NH – Andrews 19 pass from Rios (Freiberg kick), 7:07.

NH – Whitaker 17 pass from Rios (Freiberg kick), 4:50.

NH – Freiberg 35 FG, 0:57.

NH – Yokoyama 13 pass from Rios (pass failed), 0:32.

THIRD QUARTER

NH – Norton 30 punt return (Freiberg kick), 1:24.

FOURTH QUARTER

NH – Zisholtz 1 run (kick blocked), 1:22.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

NH – Whitaker 13-138, 1 TD; Sweis, 15-130; Andrews, 4-23; Frazier, 1-2; Zisholtz, 1-1, 1 TD; Team, 1-minus 1; Rios, 1-minus 7.

Mar – Duarte, 11-37; Waked, 6-12; Graham, 1-3; Shenett, 2-minus 4; Marshall, 3-minus 7.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

NH – Rios, 9-16-0, 102, 3 TDs; Blower, 2-3-0, 12.

Mar – Marshall, 2-12-1, 19; Shenett, 4-8-1, 34.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

NH – Whiteside, 2-33; Andrews, 2-31, 1 TD; Whitaker, 2-23, 1 TD; Yokoyama, 1-13, 1 TD; Norton, 2-6; Iverson, 1-8; Frazier, 1-0.

Mar – Hill, 2-22; Hagstrom, 2-16; Bravo, 1-9; Huffman, 1-6.