Prep football Bravehearts: Newport Harbor O-Line, The unknown

soldiers

They are the cause to the effect, the means to an end and the

irresistible force against the immovable object. But ask them if they

care.

Recognition is, it seems, as much the enemy to the Newport Harbor High

offensive line as whoever lines up across the neutral zone.

A reporter interested in a postgame explanation of their dominance in

the trenches figures to meet with polite indifference. Nothing personal,

just part of the job. A subtle trap block against the trappings of

self-importance reserved for the “skill” positions.

“They have a T-shirt with a quote that says: ‘We work the hardest, are

known the least, yet we are the reason,’ ” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff

Brinkley said of the pistons to his football team’s offensive engine.

“And that’s really true. Not many people recognize offensive linemen, but

if any offense is successful, those guys are the reason.”

But, after a 35-7 victory over Back Bay rival Corona del Mar, which

included 21 first downs, 324 rushing yards and a headline-making

226-yard, three-touchdown performance by senior tailback Chris Manderino,

theirs was not to reason why.

“I don’t know, I’m just going to look for my parents,” one trench

warrior replied sheepishly to a postgame query about their job well done.

It was, indeed, work worth remembering for this work-in-progress

starting five, a group which, before this season, had no starting

experience in a Newport Harbor uniform.

Senior right tackle Scott Lopez, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound transfer from

Santa Margarita, started last fall for the Eagles. So, predictably, he

sets the tone. He was chosen Offensive Player of the Week against CdM.

Junior left tackle Robert Chai (6-4, 265) provides muscle on the other

side, while senior guards Jim Erickson (6-1, 210) and Ryan Devin (6-3,

200) flank junior center Jeff Marshall (6-4, 200) to seal things off

inside.

“They’ve worked hard and have done a nice job,” Brinkley said.

“They’re still relatively inexperienced, so to see them come together

(against CdM) was good. But they’ve had some flashes of being pretty good

the first two games.”

Brinkley added the group will become stronger when junior Bryan

Breland, who started one game as a sophomore, returns soon from wrist

surgery. Breland, who may begin practicing this week, will eventually

take over a guard spot.