Tars eye another CIF title

story on NH preparing for title gameNewport Harbor, with one medical miracle in the backfield, is intent on avenging last season’s championship-game loss.LONG BEACH -- The Newport Harbor High football team believes the wounded can be healed.

It was a revolutionary preseason surgical procedure that gave senior tailback Ryan Rippon a new synthetic anterior cruciate ligament and the ability to lead the Sailors to the CIF Southern Section Division VI championship game.

But heading into the final against Valencia (12-1) -- 7 p.m. Saturday at Orange Coast College -- the Sailors (10-3) are seeking one final collective cure: for their broken hearts.

“Hopefully, we can end up with a better outcome than last year,” Newport Harbor senior quarterback Tom Jackson said Monday at a press-conference luncheon featuring selected players and coaches from combatants in 13 CIF championship games.

Jackson was referring to Newport Harbor’s 35-6 loss to Orange Lutheran in the 2004 Division VI title game at Angel Stadium. The Sailors, who entered that game with a 12-0-1 record, were buried, 28-0, by halftime, and forced to marinate in their bitter disappointment.

“I remember the locker room after the game and seeing the looks on mostly our seniors’ faces,” said Jackson, who started at safety as a junior. “It was like looking at everyone’s broken heart. It was not a happy moment for me and the rest of the team.”

Jackson said those who lived through that experience, particularly this year’s seniors, hoped to work their way back into the title-game spotlight.

“We wanted to make it back to have another shot at it,” Jackson said. “Our first few games this season were a little rocky [three narrow wins followed by nonleague losses to Dana Hills and Mira Costa]. And there were times when I, along with many others, kind of doubted we’d be here. But we’ve really peaked at the right time and we’re really glad to be here.”

Jackson, Rippon, senior offensive tackle Charles Schultz and senior fullback Jack Tracy were also on hand Monday, along with Coach Jeff Brinkley, Boys’ Athletic Director Eric Tweit and Principal Michael Vossen.

It’s the seventh trip to a CIF final in the last 14 years for Brinkley, in his 20th season at the helm.

The Sailors are 2-4 in those title games, including championships in 1994 and 1999.

Valencia Coach Mike Marujo, in his 25th season with the Tigers, will be competing in his sixth section championship game.

But Valencia has not been to a final since 1992, when it claimed its second straight section crown, its third overall.

Rippon, who missed the first four games recovering from knee surgery, has been a catalyst, with his production and his leadership, Jackson said.

“The whole team feeds off Ryan,” Jackson said of the 6-foot, 200-pounder, who has amassed 1,628 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 204 carries in nine games. He is averaging nearly 8 yards per carry.

“He has been a real spark plug for us ... “ 200512065V1LMIVDNo Caption