Freshman Football: Newport Harbor drops the hammer on CdM

Tony Altobelli

CORONA DEL MAR - Sometimes calmer heads prevail during rivalry

games. Just ask Newport Harbor High freshman football coach Joe Urban.

“A couple of years ago, I got the team so fired up and we went out and

got our butts kicked,” Urban said with a smile. “Now, I try to keep the

players at an even level of emotion. It seems to be more effective.”

With a consistent ground game and an effective air arsenal, the

Sailors methodically steamrolled through host Corona del Mar, 33-14, in

Wednesday’s nonleague matchup.

“CdM has some good players, so we knew coming in that we had to pound

the ball on the ground,” Newport Coach Joe Urban said. “It’s always a

thrill to play well and to play well against CdM is even that much

better.”

Leading the Sailors’ offense was Spencer Link, who rushed for 166

yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. With strong offensive line

support, Link picked apart the Sea Kings’ defense for nearly eight yards

per carry.

“The best thing about Spencer is that he practices like he plays, all

out every play,” Urban said of Link. “He’s got excellent leadership

qualities and he reminds me of (sophomore tailback) Matt Encinas. Both

lead by example and both have excellent tools.”

Newport scored the first 33 points of the game, holding CdM to only 59

total yards of offense before the Sea Kings scored twice on the Sailors’

reserves late in the game.

“They kicked our butts, plain and simple,” Coach Gary Almquist said.

“We’ve got a plethora of talent on this team. It’s just a matter of

getting everyone healthy and in the right spots. If all 43 freshmen stay

with the program, we’re going to be even better than our 8-1-1 team from

a few years ago.”

The Sea Kings’ offense, already without the services of standout

receiver Kevin Welch (dislocated elbow), No. 2 receiver Shane Collins

went down early in the game with broken right wrist.

“Did you see Shane pop right up and walk off the field on his own,”

Almquist said. “That’s one tough kid. His arm was severely messed up. It

was nearly a compound fracture and he got right up.”

CdM quarterback Wess Presson still managed to rack up 141 yards on

10-of-19 passing, but two interceptions and a CdM fumble turned into 20

Newport points.

Robert Engelhard and Mike Turnbull came up with the Sailor

interceptions, giving quarterback Kasey Peters opportunities to guide the

team down the field. Peters was an effective 5 for 5 for 77 yards and one

touchdown.

“Kasey is a football rat,” Urban said. “He’s always around the

football field, trying to learn more and trying to get better. I felt he

had a good feel of what we were trying to accomplish out there.”

Peters’ touchdown pass was to Greg Miner on an 11-yard hookup. Alex

Orth also scored for the Sailors, on an 18-yard touchdown run.

CdM’s offensive highlight came when Presson hooked up with Ben Maggard

on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Presson also scored on a 1-yard quarterback

run.