Newport Harbor pulls out 8-7 win

NEWPORT BEACH -- Newport Harbor High’s freshman football team

improved to 7-1, 3-0 in the Sea View League last week with a

come-from-behind 8-7 victory over the visiting Laguna Hills Hawks.

Trailing, 7-0, in the fourth quarter, the Sailors were ignited by

a 55-yard kickoff return by Ryan Rippon to set the Tars up on the

Laguna Hills 37.

A 20-yard run by quarterback Michael Cantwell highlighted a drive

which took the Sailors eventually to the 1-yard line where Delano

McKenzie, out of a full house backfield, bulled over for the score.

Cantwell bootlegged to his right for the go-ahead two-point

conversion.

Laguna Hills had taken the lead when a blocked punt set the Hawks

up on the Newport 35 and on the second play, the Hawks connected on a

32-yard scoring pass.

Newport Harbor, playing without Ricky Sepulveda (concussion) and

James Coder (bruised thigh), relied on several standout defensive

plays to stay within range.

Clayton Heiser’s diving interception at the 10-yard line staved

off a Laguna Hills threat late in the second quarter.

Safety Tom Jackson came up with the clincher, an interception with

1:34 left to stop Laguna Hills’ final threat.

Cantwell completed 5 of 5 pass attempts for 46 yards and ran for

27 yards on four carries.

Rippon carried 22 times for 82 yards and caught a 12-yard pass.

Preston Kelly (two receptions for 10 yards) and McKenzie (two

receptions for 24 yards) completed the receiving statistics.

The Sailors were at Woodbridge Thursday.