SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Division V Championship : Newport Harbor vs. Servite

L.A. Times Archives

Dec. 9, 1994 12 AM PT

RECORDS--Newport Harbor (13-0), Servite (11-2).

SITE--Orange Coast College, 7:30 p.m.

TV--Orange County NewsChannel, 7:30 p.m. Dimension Cable in South Orange County will show replays, the first being Monday at 8 p.m.

SERVITE--The Friars are playing in their first section championship game since 1983, when they defeated La Puente Bishop Amat for their second consecutive championship. Servite’s history includes the likes of NFL players Steve Beuerlein and Derek Brown. Servite’s best running back this season is David Bedard, who rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns to help propel the Friars beat El Toro, 34-19, in the semifinals. Bedard has rushed for 1,100 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. Frank Patti, who has 803 yards rushing, and Marvin Smith, who has 496 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, complement Bedard in the backfield. Quarterback David Martin, who has completed 46% of his passes for 990 yards, will try to keep Newport Harbor’s defense honest. Martin has thrown 10 touchdown passes with only six interceptions, and he will need to be mistake-free for the Friars to succeed. Tony McCanta is one of Servite’s best defenders, leading a unit that posted three consecutive shutouts before last week’s semifinal victory.

NEWPORT HARBOR--The Sailors, winningest team in the school’s 64-year history of playing varsity football, are seeking the school’s first section football championship. Comebacks and close games are their signature. Last week in overtime, it took a fourth-down one-yard touchdown run by Brian Johnson to give the Sailors a 13-10 victory over Foothill. Coach Jeff Brinkley led Newport Harbor to the Division IV title game in 1992, but Irvine won, 30-8. As sophomores, linebacker Dan McDonough and nose guard Bill Johns played in that game. Now, McDonough, who has 118 tackles, and Johns, who has 13 sacks, lead a defensive unit that has given up only 10 points per game. Johnson, who has rushed for 983 yards, and Edon Kagasoff and Jeremy Mason have combined for more than 1,900 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns. Quarterback John Giordani has completed 53% of his passes for 1,348 yards and 16 touchdowns with eight interceptions. An effective night from Giordani would prevent Servite from stuffing the run with an eight-man front.

KEY TO THE GAME--This game will be a physical, no-nonsense contest. Both teams have strong defenses and running games, so the passing game could be pivotal.

CONSENSUS--Pick tradition over destiny, the Friars will wear down the Sailors in a close one.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

THE LINEUPS

Newport Harbor

OFFENSE

Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. QB 7 John Giordani 6-3 180 Sr. TB 46 Brian Johnson 5-8 175 Sr. FB 27 Matt Riggle 5-11 205 Sr. WR 3 Jon Benzinger 6-2 175 Sr. WR 23 Danny Pulido 6-4 190 So. TE 85 Mike Freeman 6-1 225 Sr. LT 76 Sherif Pepic 6-2 220 Jr. LG 56 Brandon Baker 6-0 175 Jr. C 50 Brandon Hetrick 6-0 195 Jr. RG 54 Bill Johns 5-9 195 Sr. RT 78 James Moreaux 6-1 240 Sr. K 11 Jeff Pardy 5-8 150 So.

DEFENSE

Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. DE 55 Tom Eaton 6-2 195 Sr. DT 44 Sky Conway 5-9 170 Jr. NG 54 Bill Johns 5-9 195 Sr. DE 64 Jack Hogan 6-0 195 Sr. OLB 27 Matt Riggle 5-11 205 Sr. ILB 5 Dan McDonough 6-1 210 Sr. OLB 85 Mike Freeman 6-1 225 Sr. CB 2 Scott Sandstrom 5-9 165 Sr. CB 46 Brian Johnson 5-8 175 Sr. SS 4 Dan Eadie 6-0 165 Sr. FS 32 Dan Berger 6-2 170 Sr. P 27 Matt Riggle 5-11 205 Sr.

Servite

OFFENSE

Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. QB 16 David Martin 6-1 165 Sr. RB 5 Frank Patti 5-9 185 Sr. RB 22 David Bedard 5-11 200 Sr. WR 82 Richard McDonald 6-0 160 Sr. WR 83 Stephen Ward 6-2 160 So. TE 86 Phil Dumas 6-2 200 Sr. LT 76 Mike Lucey 6-3 230 Sr. LG 59 Matt Hawkins 6-0 235 Sr. C 52 Chris Buck 6-0 230 Sr. RG 66 Zack LaMonda 6-2 240 So. RT 70 Jay Stotlar 6-1 270 Sr. K 6 Tony Cardenas 5-10 173 Sr.

DEFENSE

Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. DE 81 Damian Salerno 6-2 190 Jr. DT 45 Tony McCanta 5-10 210 Sr. DT 75 Brad Hoegler 6-1 195 Sr. DE 99 Ryan Schley 6-3 210 Sr. OLB 51 Sebastian Hernandez 6-0 160 Jr. ILB 35 Tony Magliocco 5-11 200 Sr. ILB 95 Matt Paul 6-2 205 Jr. OLB 78 Paul Kurz 6-1 185 Sr. LCB 21 Mike Azurin 5-7 160 Jr. RCB 2 Joe LeVecke 6-1 180 Sr. S 29 John Hall 5-11 150 Jr. P 43 Peter Crosser 6-1 215 Jr.

GAME-BY-GAME IN ’94

NEWPORT HARBOR (13-0)

28 Orange 10

28 Ocean View 0

28 Foothill 7

21 Canyon 19

22 Savanna 15

9 Irvine* 7

7 Corona del Mar* 6

24 Woodbridge* 0

27 Santa Margarita* 23

35 El Toro* 14