Shadowlands

Five years ago this week ...

Newport Harbor High’s football team dominates Woodbridge in a Sea View

League game, the Sailors enjoying homecoming by virtue of a 45-14

victory. The Tars score three defensive touchdowns as Greg Wertman

returns an interception 39 yards, Cory Glass recovers a fumble for a

touchdown, and Josh Amezola returns an interception 34 yards ...

Corona del Mar High survives with an 18-17 football victory over Santa

Margarita in Sea View play. Santa Margarita misses a 26-yard field goal

with no time left (wide right). The Sea Kings win on a 68-yard touchdown

drive by quarterback Josh Walsh, Tom O’Meara capping the drive with a

2-yard run with 7:38 left.

Estancia High’s water polo team defeats visiting Laguna Beach, 11-7,

in a showdown for second place in the Pacific Coast League. It’s the best

showing for the Eagles since 1979. Brad Wayman scores four goals, while

Joe Huang and Chad Bollenbach score two goals apiece.Costa Mesa High’s

water polo team rolls up a 30-5 victory over Laguna Hills to clinch the

Mustangs’ 10th straight Pacific Coast League championship. Ryan Kelly,

Roger Kirnos and James Comfort lead the way for Mesa with four goals

apiece. Chad Cleaver and Ryan Dandy add three goals each and Todd Hylton,

Sean Hylton, Justin Taylor and Rob Grayeli each score one goal. The score

is one short of the school record (31-4 over La Quinta the previous

year).

Costa Mesa’s boys cross country team wins the Pacific Coast League

championship as Zeke Noonan, Bruce Hancock, Jaime Carrillo and Eric Solis

lead the way. Six of Mesa’s seven runners had personal bests in the

championship showdown.

Costa Mesa wins the inaugural Gray Lunde frosh-soph water polo

tournament, named after the Newport Harbor freshman aquatics standout who

died of a heart attack at poolside. Newport Harbor was fourth in the

12-team field.

Orange Coast College’s defense and special teams step up for a 41-23

football victory over Southwestern. The Pirates intercept two passes (one

was returned for a touchdown) and block two punts. Orange Coast’s William

League runs for 115 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

10 years ago this week

Newport Harbor High’s football team shuts Woodbridge down, 25-0, in

Sea View League play. Russell Olshefski rushes for 144 yards on 16

carries, including a 44-yard touchdown run to get the Sailors on the

boards. Billy Gabriel runs for 93 yards on five carries and scores two

touchdowns.

Corona del Mar High’s football team loses to Tustin, 21-7, in Sea View League play. The Sea Kings are tied, 7-7, with five minutes left in the

first quarter after George Dickson catches a 63-yard toucdown pass from

Chad Woolsley.

Costa Mesa whips crosstown rival Estancia, 26-3. Jermaine Jackson runs

for 113 yards on 16 carries, including a 3-yard TD run with 7:53 left to

seal the verdict.

Orange Coast College stuns Fullerton with a 45-35 football victory.

The Pirates and Hornets trade touchdowns until OCC scores the last 10

points. Lawrence Hatch returns a kickoff 91 yards for a TD in the first

quarter, and Adrian Steen finishes with 210 yards on 27 carries and a

touchdown.

Newport Harbor’s Richard Ruffini scores four goals and Rob Worthing

adds two as the Sailors defeat Saddleback, 11-1, and finish second in Sea

View League water polo.

Costa Mesa’s Corey Delahunt scores nine goals in a 21-8 victory over Laguna Beach. Julian Popov tosses in four goals as the Mustangs cap an

unbeaten PCL season.

Estancia High goalie Mark Plascencia stops 15 shots as the Eagles

defeat Trabuco Hills, 8-4, in water polo. Albert Huang and Ryan

Bollenbach score two goals apiece.

Orange Coast’s water polo team is ranked No. 2 in the state and

dominates Saddleback, 17-10.

-- compiled by Steve Virgen