Daily Pilot Football Player of the Week, Andre Stewart: Prize pupil

Barry Faulkner

Andre Stewart always had the explosive quickness to run by

tacklers, the aggressiveness to punish them at the end of runs and the

rare athleticism necessary to attach himself to opposing receivers in

coverage.

But nothing short of a total transformation was required for the Newport

Harbor High senior to claim his place in the storied history of Sailor

football standouts.

“When I came down here (transferring from San Jose before his freshman

year), it took awhile for me to adapt to football and a lot of other

stuff,” the starting tailback and cornerback said. “Back there, everybody

was pretty much an individual. But when I got here, Coach (Jeff) Brinkley

started teaching me about work ethic, and what it means to contribute to

a team. I learned you need teamwork to win and I’m glad to have had that

lesson.”

Brinkley, in his 14th season at Harbor, enjoys nothing more than seeing a

player progress through his program and eventually realize his potential.

And, when he speaks of Stewart, pride drips from each sentence, like

sweat from the hard-working Daily Pilot Player of the Week’s brow.

“The biggest thing with Andre has been the change in his whole attitude,”

Brinkley said of Stewart, whose banner 1999 campaign continued with 196

rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries in Friday’s 55-13

nonleague win over Magnolia.

“He’s developed over four years and he really understands what our

program is about. He’s really bought into the things we do. He’s worked

extremely hard, in the weight room and on the field, and it’s nice to see

him reap the benefits.”

After a sterling freshman season, word of Stewart’s exploits trumpeted

his arrival as a potentially prolific varsity player. But he spent his

sophomore and junior seasons primarily on special teams, carrying 69

times for 182 yards with sporadic reserve stints in the backfield.

“It was frustrating, at times, but the tradition of this program is, you

have to wait your turn,” said Stewart, who watched senior tailbacks Brett

Baker, then Robert Peredia, earn All-Sea View League and All-Newport-Mesa

District recognition the last two falls.

Stewart spent the spring and summer locked in a battle with Ryan Brill,

before earning the starting job. He still shares duty with his fellow

senior, whose 411 yards on 56 carries provides the Sailors a potent

one-two punch.

“There’s a little competition there, but we always talk after the games,”

Stewart said. “And we know whoever is in there can help us win.”

But while Brill allows Stewart to take a breather on offense, the

5-foot-9, 160-pounder is indispensable on defense, where his blend of

aggressiveness and agility serve him well against the run or the pass.

“He’s a real good cover guy, which enables us to play him one-on-one on

the backside,” Brinkley said.

“I love to hit people,” said Stewart, responsible for some of the

Sailors’ biggest collisions this season. “But I just don’t get that many

chances on defense. That’s why I like offense more.”

Though his small stature and breakaway speed are reminiscent of

ballcarriers who prefer to avoid tacklers, Stewart is always prepared to

sacrifice himself for the tough yards between the tackles.

“His work in the weight room has helped him develop that quick, explosive

power,” Brinkley said. “He runs extremely hard and he’ll hit ya.”

Stewart, true to his appreciation for the team, is eager to share credit

for his success with his offensive line.

“Those guys work constantly and they’re getting better every week,”

Stewart said. “I owe a lot to them.”

As Sea View League play begins this week, Stewart, with 731 yards and 13

touchdowns on 100 carries, is mindful that his work this season has only

begun. He hopes continued success can lead to an opportunity to play at

the collegiate level.Regardless of where his future leads, he’ll take

with him valuable lessons learned as a prep.