Football: ALISO BOUND

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - Looking at some of the usual key players on Newport

Harbor High’s offense, their longest stretch on the field was when they

ran through the banners before the game.

Perhaps the most efficient three drives in prep sports history,

Newport Harbor High jumped out to a 21-0 lead and cruised to a 42-0

nonleague football win over winless Fairfax High Thursday night.

The Sailors (8-0-1), ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division VI

and Orange County, needed only five plays, 61 yards and less than a

minute combined on their first three drives, turning each one to seven

points and putting the game out of reach early.

“It’s always tough to play a nonleague game in the middle of a tight

league race,” Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “This was the type of game where

all I wanted was to win the game and not get anyone hurt. I think we did

that tonight.”

Brinkley had a golden opportunity to rest a majority of his starters

for nearly three quarters of the game, following the quick 21-0 start.

The Sailors took advantage of tremendous field position, starting in

Lions side of the field all but twice in the first half.

After a 4-yard punt by Fairfax, Newport scored on its second play from

scrimmage as Andre Stewart scored on a 9-yard run.

Another poor Lions punt once again gave the Sailors excellent field

position and they took advantage early with a 25-yard touchdown pass from

quarterback Chris Manderino to Justin Jacobs on the first play of the

drive, making it 14-0.

After the Lions (0-9) turned the ball over on downs on their own

27-yard line, Stewart brought back to the end zone two plays later on a

7-yard run.

“We have a tough matchup ahead of us with Aliso Niguel next week and

we had an opportunity to rest a lot of guys tonight,” Brinkley said. “I

was proud of how the younger guys stepped up and also the seniors that

haven’t played as much as they would have liked this year, did well for

their final home game.”

Ryan Brill came in for Stewart late in the first quarter and rushed

for 58 yards on six carries, including a 22-yard touchdown run early in

the second quarter.

With most of the starters gone by the end of the first quarter, it

gave opportunities for guys like sophomore Matt Casserly to step and have

a big game.

In his first meaningful time at the varsity level, Casserly rushed 24

times for 117 yards and scored both of the Sailors’ two second-half

touchdowns.

“He played great tonight,” Brinkley said. “He’s had a few snaps since

he’s been up here, but nothing like tonight.”

Fairfax had a couple of chances to score, but two costly fumbles,

recovered by senior Brad Rothwell and sophomore Bryan Breland ended the

scoring opportunities for the Lions.

The Sailors’ defense gave the Lions nothing on the ground, allowing

only 30 yards rushing for the first half and 106 for the game.

The lone offensive star for the Lions was quarterback Richard Post,

who threw went 9 for 25 for 178 yards, including four completions of 20

yards or more.

The second half was all Casserly as he gained 99 of his 117 yards in

the second half as the Sailors ran out the second half clock on the

ground.

The Sailors look to wrap up their season undefeated and with the Sea

View League title Friday at 7:30 p.m. with a road game against Aliso

Niguel.

“It’s our goal to win the title outright, finish undefeated and get

the No. 1 seed in the playoffs,” Brinkley said. “We’re going to work hard

this week in practice and we’ll be ready to go.”