No place like under the lights

BARRY FAULKNER

Marv Levy’s Buffalo Bills were reveling in the brilliant spotlight

that envelops the NFL when he asked his players on the sideline

before an important game, “Where would you rather be than right here,

right now?”

But perched in the press box at Newport Harbor High, Orange Coast

College, or just about anywhere else high school football is played

in the Southland sprawl, I often reflect on Levy’s now-famous query

with appreciation.

For no football enthusiast, in my view, has a better seat on

Thursday, Friday and sometimes Saturday night, than the one directly

behind my rosters and stat sheets.

It is from this vantage point, where, for the last 19 years, I

have absorbed some of the memories I now impose upon younger

colleagues, hoping to ignite an appreciation for the lore unveiled in

weekly increments that can be savored for generations.

As I push the cerebral videotape into the VCR of my mind, images

unfold clearly of concussive collisions, soaring spirals,

ridiculously astounding runs, improbable catches, shoestring tackles,

controversial calls, touchdowns, triumph, travail, and even tragedy.

There are, of course, team accomplishments, like CIF Southern

Section titles earned by Corona del Mar (1988 and ‘89) and Newport

Harbor (1994 and ‘99), as well as a runner-up showing by Costa Mesa

in 1993.

But the fabric of my football memories are woven by players and

coaches.

I can envision Corona del Mar High linebacker Jerrott Willard

(Class of 1990) charging into the opposing backfield to drill a ball

carrier, on his way to starring for four seasons at Cal and

overcoming ravaged knees to play briefly with the Kansas City Chiefs.

In terms of blending physical ability with on-field performance,

Willard is the best prep player I’ve seen in my time covering

Newport-Mesa football.

I can see Newport Harbor super stud Chris Manderino dragging

tacklers from his tailback spot and discarding blockers as a

linebacker in three varsity seasons (1998-2000). “Mando,” a former

walk-on at Cal who is now on scholarship and starting at fullback for

the Golden Bears, is, I believe, the toughest player I’ve seen strap

on a helmet.

I recall former Newport Harbor all-purpose star Brett Baker

capping a monumental season in 1997 with the greatest single-game

performance I’ve witnessed in a 38-28 CIF Division V quarterfinal

triumph over Kennedy. All the tailback-cornerback did that night was

rush for 232 yards, catch three passes for 51 more, return three

punts and two kickoffs for 130 combined yards, score three

touchdowns, kick five PATs and a 32-yard field goal, boot five punts,

including a 52-yarder, and play solid defense.

I recall Corona del Mar quarterback-defensive back Josh Walz

making the single most athletic play I’ve witnessed firsthand, late

in a nonleague game at the Santa Ana Bowl. Walz who, playing behind

the Five Crowns offensive line, helped the Sea Kings reach the CIF

Division V semifinals in 1995, propelled his body nearly 10 yards --

seemingly parallel to the ground after losing his balance -- to snag

a tipped pass for an interception. The game was near completion at

the time, so I was standing on the sideline, in perfect position to

register the magnitude of the physical feat.

I recall Costa Mesa’s Bryan Luxumbourger impaling ballcarriers

from his inside linebacker spot during the Mustangs’ run to the 1993

CIF title game.

That same season, I can still see Binh “Runaway” Tran, then a

senior wingback, breaking through the pile of blockers in the

Mustangs’ smashmouth double wing, en route to some of his

Newport-Mesa-career-record 4,333 rushing yards.

I recall John “Lucky Gio” Giordani throwing a 38-yard touchdown

strike to tight end Mike Freeman to give Newport Harbor a 20-15 win

over Servite and its first CIF title in 64 seasons of varsity

football.

I can see Estancia quarterback Matt Johner (Class of ‘93)

scrambling from sideline to sideline to make good things happen for

the Eagles on his way to becoming the starter at Kansas.

The image comes to mind of Newport Harbor linebacker Steve

Gonzales, later Dick Butkus Award candidate at Hawaii, planting

ballcarriers on their backs with more power than any 190-pounder has

a right to.

I remember Costa Mesa’s Dave Weir (Class of 2000) getting more out

of his 5-10, 165-pound package than seemed physically possible, all

the while displaying a toughness that inspired his teammates.

The same could be said of undersized Newport Harbor noseguard Bill

Johns (Class of ‘95).

I recall the joy provoked by watching tailback Andre Stewart help

Newport win its second CIF crown, and the anguish that lingers after

hearing of his death in an automobile accident just weeks before his

graduation.

I can remember admiring the talent and tenacity of Estancia

linebacker Ricardo Aguilar (Class of ‘92), CdM tailback-defensive

back J.R. Walz (Class of ‘94), Newport Harbor tailback-cornerback

Brian Johnson (Class of ‘95), Costa Mesa tailback Steve Herzog (Class

of ‘98), CdM middle linebacker Mark Hatfield (Class of ‘99), Estancia

linebacker Dan Petrone (Class of ‘90), Newport Harbor quarterback

Morgan Craig (Class of 2002) and Newport Harbor middle

linebacker-fullback Joe Urban (Class of ‘97).

There was the obvious physical prowess displayed by Newport Harbor

middle linebackers Pete Hogan (Class of ‘98) and Alan Saenz (Class of

2001), Newport receiver-outside ‘backer Danny Pulido (Class of ‘97),

Sailors defensive end Beau Ralphs (Class of ‘93), and Mesa running

back Keola Asuega (Class of 2003),

I still recall the smooth glide of Estancia tailback James Dawkins

(Class of ‘98) cutting up field, the precision passing of Newport

Harbor’s Josiah Fredriksen (Class of ‘97), the elusive explosiveness

of Newport Harbor receiver Spencer Link, a senior this season, and

the consistent effectiveness of Newport Harbor tailback Dartangan

Johnson (Class of 2003).

I can see Andy Kalanz’s 4-yard “scoop and score” fumble return to

cap Newport Harbor’s come-from-behind, 19-18 triumph over Irvine in

the CIF Division VI title game in 1999.

I still smile when recalling the wit and wisdom of former Costa

Mesa Coach Myron Miller, the understated passion of former CdM Coach

Dave Holland, and the subdued, though genuine joy Newport Harbor head

man Jeff Brinkley displays on the field after every victory.

And still, as another season looms just beyond Thursday’s chalk

talk previews, there is so much I’ve yet to see. And nowhere else I’d

rather be.