Tars’ offensive line serves with a smile

Newport Harbor offensive line has helped pave the way to CIF Division VI championship game.Behind the mayhem, there is mirth.

Opponents facing the Newport Harbor High offensive line are usually more likely to encounter a smile than a scowl. But foes are also typically forced to face defeat -- at the hands, helmets, forearms and shoulders of the laughing lads who consistently dominate in the trenches.

The all-senior front wall of tackles Charles Schultz and Matt McCullough, guards Alex Flores and Billy Munce, as well as center Lou Truxton, is a big reason the Sailors (10-3) have reached the CIF Southern Section Division VI title game against Valencia (12-1). Kickoff is 7 p.m. Saturday at Orange Coast College.

“We can be as mean as a bunch of bulls, but the next moment, we’re able to joke around,” said left tackle Charles Schultz, who -- at 6-foot-4, 332-pounds -- admits his game-night giggles can have sinister undertones.

“When you know you’ve just destroyed a guy -- de-cleated him or pancaked him -- you know you’re making his life a living hell,” said Schultz, a Newport Mesa Dream Team performer as a junior. “Not to be mean, but I like to see [opponents] down on themselves. When you sense that feeling from them, it’s priceless.”

Flores (6-2, 206), a returning starter who lines up next to Schultz, said one can usually observe group members chuckling with one another on the sideline.

“We’re always the ones laughing and smiling,” said Flores, the most studious member of the group with a 4.0 grade-point average. “Usually if we’re having fun as a group, we’re winning the game.”

Truxton echoed Flores’ remark.

“We play our best when we’re having a lot of fun out there,” Truxton said. “Even off the field, we’re the best of friends.”

McCullough (6-5, 275), who teams with Munce (6-0, 259) on the left side, is, his linemates said, often too benevolent for his own good.

“I just can’t see Matt getting really angry, because he’s too nice,” Flores said. “But he is still able to get the job done.”

Schultz and Munce are considered most likely to exhibit a mean streak. Flores and Truxton (6-1, 211), both considered undersized, are shining practitioners of the technique drilled into the group by respected veteran line coach Zaverio Brenner and first-year assistant Lance Chavez.

“Charles is a great guy,” Munce said. “But being that big, he can just maul people.”

Added Flores: “You don’t want to get Charles angry. When he puts all that strength behind some anger, he can be very intimidating.”

Munce, who missed some time early in the year with a broken arm, plays with a soft cast he said he has transformed into a weapon.

“I kind of look at it like a huge club,” Munce said. “I try to drive it up through [defenders] like a shield.”

Schultz and Flores said Munce is someone he would never like to face in the neutral zone.

“He’s a monster,” Schultz said. “He’s scary.”

Added Flores: “He has a quiet anger. When he gets mad, you can’t tell. We make fun of him for that.”

The quintet, most of whom have been friends since elementary school, make fun of one another about, well, anything.

“We’re all a little bit fat in our own way,” Schultz said. “But we don’t even care.”

They agreed they give and receive ribbing in equal portions. Flores, he said, is teased for being smart.

They also share a collective contribution that has allowed senior tailback Ryan Rippon to produce 1,628 of the team’s 2,903 rushing yards this season.

“They’re doing an amazing job,” said Rippon, who is always quick to deflect any credit he gets onto his blockers. “Coach Brenner is doing a great job with them and I think they’re progressing each week.”

Newport Harbor senior quarterback Tom Jackson is also generous with praise for the line.

“I think our O-line play has just been amazing,” Jackson said. “The boys up front are solid and we’re just kind of riding their coat tails right now, because they’re paving the way for us.”

Sailors Coach Jeff Brinkley is also another of the unit’s fans.

“They’ve improved a lot each week and they’re doing a really good job,” Brinkley said. “Coach Brenner and Coach Chavez are doing a great job with them. I think Brenner is just a great technician. I think he’s the best in Orange County.”

CIF SOUTHERN SECTION

DIVISION VI FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWPORT HARBOR VS. PLACENTIA VALENCIA

When: 7 p.m. Saturday