Newport explodes

AZUSA - Even shorthanded and on what Coach Jeff Brinkley considered

less than all cylinders, the Newport Harbor High football team had way

too much for host Glendora Friday night.

The Sailors (3-0-1) exploded to a 21-0 halftime lead, then extended it

to 28-0 before cruising to a 28-13 nonleague victory at Citrus College.

Playing without injured two-way starters Billy Clayton and Mike

Tunney, as well as defensive end Garrett Troncale, Harbor overwhelmed the

Tartans (2-2).

“Our backups stepped up, which is what you have to do,” said Brinkley,

who became the all-time Newport-Mesa District victory leader with his

107th triumph at Harbor. Brinkley, in his 14th season at Harbor, passed

former Corona del Mar Coach Dave Holland, who had 106 wins in 20 seasons.

Backup end Brad Rothwell sparkled in place of Troncale and outside

linebacker Andy Rankin had an interception and blocked a punt spelling

Tunney.

Travis Trimble, who usually shares time with Tunney at fullback,

scored the Sailors’ first touchdown and Kelsey Peterson (safety) and Chad

Smith (receiver) made sure the Tars didn’t miss Clayton too badly.

“When you get your chance, that’s your time to shine,” Rothwell said.

“You have to do your best for the team, so there won’t be a letdown.”

There was nothing close to a letdown early for the visitors.

After Nathan Caldwell’s 50-yard punt pinned Glendora at its 2-yard

line, Rothwell flushed quarterback Bruce Hatch from the pocket and nose

guard Andy Kalanz grabbed him for a safety to open the scoring.

Harbor went 52 yards in nine plays with the ensuing free kick, then

cashed in a Rankin interception with a four-play, 43-yard touchdown drive

to lead 15-0 with 2:48 left in the first quarter.

Senior tailback Andre Stewart scored the first of his two TDs to cap

the early Sailor onslaught, en route to 135 rushing yards.

Justin Jacobs, who intercepted in the end zone to kill Glendora’s best

first-half scoring threat, returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown early

in the second quarter to make it 21-0.

After Dayne Pfaff returned the first of his two second-half

interceptions 22 yards to the Tartans’ 22, Stewart carried three straight

times to finalize Harbor’s scoring with 6:58 left in the third.

Brinkley began substituting and Glendora turned two big plays into

fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the game closer than it appeared.

Brinkley, however, was less than satisfied.

“We’ve still got to eliminate some mistakes,” Brinkley said. “I think

we’re going to throw the ball better than we did tonight (54 yards and

three interceptions). And I think we can be more effective up front on

both sides of the ball.”

Kalanz added a second sack and Brad Craig had another. And Nick

Langsdorf also tipped the pass Rankin intercepted.

Glendora scored on a reverse by Brandon Rohrer, who threw a 63-yard

flea-flicker to set up the hosts’ final TD.

Jacobs had three catches for 38 yards to help the Tars post 15 first

downs to Glendora’s eight.