Newport-Mesa defeats Compton

The Newport-Mesa Jr. All-American Midget Seahawks defeated Compton,

21-20, in a come-from-behind victory in the quarterfinal playoffs in

Carson Saturday afternoon.

Costa Mesa will play Baldwin Hills in the semifinals at Fountain

Valley High Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

The Seahawks held the Titans on a two-point conversion play with a

about a minute left to seal the victory.

The fast-running Titans jumped out to an early lead after two

Seahawks’ turnovers in the first quarter. The Seahawks, trailed,

14-0. Momentum shifted, however, and the Seahawks rebounded.

Defensive linemen Sean Breslin, Robert Conneally, Grant Keligian

and Cathan Cokas had numerous tackles for losses that prevented the

Titans from advancing.

After a Seahawk punt, the Titans fumbled the return and the ball

was picked up by Michael Helfrich, who ran into the end zone for the

score. And after another Seahawks’ fumble recovery, Helfrich tallied

his second touchdown.

Behind the offensive line of Andrew Paddon, Kyle Cablay, William

Ham, Andrew Yelich, Ron Sadler, Matt Morris and fullback Taylor

McSunas, running backs Danny Miller, and J.B. Green were able to eat

up yardage.

Seahawks’ linebackers Dutch Lamons, Andrew Hicks, and Michael

Lancaster formed a steel curtain against an explosive Compton running

game and the Titan passing game was effectively shut down by

defensive backs Brandon Kula, Alex Swigert, Tyler Haly and Adrian

Luchs.