Prep football: First things first

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - Like every other high school football program

undertaking spring practice, Newport Harbor High hopes its priorities are

in order.

But Coach Jeff Brinkley, entering his 16th season at the school, isn’t

afraid to shake up the order a little bit, especially when it comes to

conditioning.

Unlike most prep programs, the Sailors get their weightlifting and

conditioning out of the way before they begin the traditional practice

routine. Such was the case last week, since they kicked off spring

practice Tuesday.

“We do our conditioning first, because we don’t like the kids to have

something hanging over their heads when they’re practicing,” Brinkley

said. “Sometimes, guys will be thinking more about how they dread

conditioning than about running plays.”

Brinkley believes conditioning first has an additional benefit.

“The other thing is, it fatigues (the players) before practice, which

makes them focus with a little bit of fatigue. If they can practice at a

high tempo after being fatigued, they should be used to to playing in the

third and fourth quarter on game night.”

And though game-night situations are still months away, the Sailors

are using the same practice format they do each fall. This helps

continuity, a staple in the program’s success, Brinkley believes. It also

cuts down on orientation time each spring, when other programs typically

have to familiarize players with a different practice format.

Brinkley, whose team went 11-3 last season en route to its fifth CIF

title-game appearance in nine years, also faces a fairly unique challenge

for Sailor squads.

For, though Harbor welcomed 103 athletes to its opening workout last

week, down slightly from 115 last year, Brinkley anticipates having to

spread the talent a little more thinly next fall.

“This is a good time to get guys prepared on both sides of the ball,”

said Brinkley, who notes All-CIF offensive tackle Robert Chai, as well as

All-Newport-Mesa District standouts Bryan Breland (offensive guard) and

Morgan Craig (quarterback), all of whom will be seniors, could see time

on defense, as well.

Brinkley also said Joe Foley, who started at tight end last fall, is

being moved to fullback for his senior season and that Breland could

potentially wind up at tight end.

Brinkley also reports Michael McDonald, who will be a junior, “is

going to be the best No. 2 quarterback we’ve ever had.”

Brinkley begins his spring workouts later than most programs, an

annual concession to the typically extended postseason runs that occupy

athletes in volleyball and track and field. But he will make sure his

players utilize the 15-practice allotment, before transitioning into the

summer program.

The Sailors, as usual, will not conclude spring drills with an

intrasquad scrimmage. They will, however, invite parents to attend the

final workout.