Tars stifle Aliso for openers

ALISO VIEJO — It seems on every level of football, most outstanding players earn nicknames. In just his first year with the San Diego Chargers, Shawne Merriman earned the moniker, “Lights Out,” on his way to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

At Newport Harbor High, the Sailors feature an impressive defensive player too. Yet, Mike Calabrese’s nickname is simple. Just call him, “Big Mike,” he said.

In the Sailors’ season opener, Big Mike had a big game. Calabrese caused two fumbles and recovered two. He also came up with the ball after a blocked punt and recorded a sack. His dominant performance helped lead Newport Harbor to a 20-0 season-opening nonleague victory at Aliso Niguel on Friday night.

It was the Sailors’ first shutout to open the season since 1992, when they defeated Orange, 24-0.

This shutout included a get-the-job-done offense and an overwhelming defense. Newport’s defense held Aliso Niguel to 94 total yards and seven first downs. The Sailors, the 2005 CIF Southern Section Division VI champions, who moved into the Pac-5 (formerly known as Division I) also caused five turnovers.

The first turnover appeared to set the tone for the game, when the 6-foot-1, 224-pound Calabrese, an All-CIF performer last fall, recovered a blocked punt. Ben Frazier blocked the punt, less than three minutes into the game.

Two plays later, Frazier scored on a 15-yard run.

“I just played with a lot of intensity,” Calabrese said. “I feel like I have more experience this year. Plus, you always feel pumped up in the first game of the season.”

Brandon Kula and Bryce Jardine also recovered fumbles for the Sailors.

“Our whole defense played well,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “(Calabrese) played well for us last year. Hopefully, he’s not one of those guys who rests on that, but one of the guys who gets better. I think he will.”

Calabrese showed that he can take his game to another level against the Wolverines. Newport defensive coordinator Tony Ciarelli could attest to that.

“He was tenacious,” Ciarelli said of Calabrese. “He was dominant that’s for sure. He has the attitude to play tough all the time. He’s a force guy, not a finesse guy.”

Newport’s offense mimicked the special teams and made a statement to open the second half.

Quarterback Stephen Peterson guided the Sailors on a 12-play scoring drive that ate up six minutes, 25 seconds. Peterson threw one pass on the drive, connecting with Dustin Campbell for a four-yard touchdown.

Frazier scored two touchdowns, the latter coming with 32 seconds left in the first half. Frazier finished with 87 rushing yards on 23 carries.

He cramped up in the second half, giving way to junior Woody Yokoyama, who contributed 49 yards on 10 carries.

Frazier’s cramping was not serious. He finished out the game late in the fourth quarter, helping the Sailors kill some more clock.

“I liked the way we played,” Brinkley said after watching his team improve to 16-1-1 in their last 18 openers. “We played tough.”

The victory gave Newport some revenge. Last year, the Sailors lost, 24-21, on a 48-yard field goal with two seconds left.