Tars set to defend title

The Newport Harbor High football team is hoping to halt one trend by

continuing another when the Sailors meet visiting Woodbridge in the

Sea View League opener Friday at 7 p.m.

The former refers to two straight losses by the Sailors (3-2), the

first such occurrence in preleague play since 1995.

But the latter is a five-game winning streak against Woodbridge

(0-5), against which the Sailors hold a 14-3 series advantage.

“It all starts over now,” said Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley,

whose team has won seven straight league contests and is the

defending Sea View champion.

“We told the kids league is what is critical as to whether they’re

going to make the playoffs. You’ve got to win the games from here on

out and the more you win, the better your seed is going to be [in the

CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs].”

The Sailors, however, had struggled from the Sea View League gate

more often than not in recent years. They are 3-6-1 in their last 10

league openers.

“It’s critical we get out of the chute with a win,” Brinkley said.

“It’s not very often we’ve strung together a couple of losses around

here [Friday’s 23-20 overtime setback to Mira Costa and a 39-13

defeat at Dana Hills Sept. 30]. I think we’re all in need of a win,

including myself. We need to get something going this week.”

The Warriors figure to provide an ideal opportunity for the

Sailors to generate some momentum. Coach Rick Gibson’s squad has been

outscored, 151-47, this fall.

The Sailors should be at full strength for the first time this

season, with senior tailback Ryan Rippon set to make his first start

and senior guard Billy Munce set to return from a two-game absence

with an arm injury.

Rippon, who missed most of last season with a torn knee ligament,

tore another ligament in the off-season, prompting reconstructive

surgery.

He came off the bench to collect 102 yards on 17 carries against

Mira Costa, as Brinkley said he wanted to give Rippon a tuneup

heading into league play.

Rippon’s return at tailback allows senior Jack Tracy, who has 481

yards and three touchdowns on 63 carries, to return to fullback.

Munce rejoins an offensive line that includes tackles Charles

Schultz and Matt McCullough, guard Alex Flores and center Lou

Truxton.

“Rippon gives us one more weapon offensively,” Brinkley said.

“We’ve shown signs of throwing the ball effectively.”

Senior quarterback Tom Jackson has thrown for 611 yards and seven

touchdowns. He has completed 55 of 109 with five interceptions.

Senior James Coder (17 catches for 194 yards and two TDs) and

junior Jarrett Daniel (16 catches for 180 yards and four TDs) have

been Jackson’s primary targets.

NEWPORT HARBOR STARTERS

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OFFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

4 Tom Jackson 6-1 185 Sr. QB

1 Ryan Rippon 6-0 200 Sr. TB

32 Jack Tracy 6-2 220 Sr. FB

5 James Coder 6-0 180 Sr. WR

8 Jarrett Daniel 6-0 170 Jr. WR

22 Billy Brown 6-3 210 Sr. TE

77 Charles Schultz 6-4 332 Sr. LT

76 Alex Flores 6-2 206 Sr. LG

52 Lou Truxton 6-1 211 Sr. C

72 Billy Munce 6-0 259 Sr. RG

78 Matt McCullough 6-5 275 Sr. RT

*--*

*--*

DEFENSE

No. Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Po.

50 Jayme Ohlhaver 5-11 187 Sr. DE 95 Ryan Uhl 6-0 270 Sr. NG

55 Mike Calabrese 6-1 221 Jr. DT 40 Scott Andrews 6-1 201 Sr. DE 22 Billy Brown 6-3 210 Sr. LB

19 Nick Frazier 5-11 210 Jr. LB 23 David Rosales 5-10 205 Sr. LB 7 Fernando Lara 6-1 160 Sr. CB 9 Keith Eldridge 5-9 152 Sr. CB

5 James Coder 6-0 180 Sr. SS

4 Tom Jackson 6-1 185 Sr. FS *--*