Newport hopes to rise in Sunset

There were times during a 14-year run in which the Newport Harbor High football team reached its CIF Southern Section Division title game seven times, that Sailor rooters wondered aloud how they would fare against some of the marquee teams in then-Division I.

Such speculation ends tonight, when the Sailors (3-2) play host to Esperanza (5-0), in the Sunset League opener for both teams.

The Aztecs, ranked No. 5 in the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division (formerly known as Division I), were the CIF Division I runners-up in 2005, when the Sailors were claiming the CIF Division VI crown, their third section title since 1994.

Tonight’s game also features the matchup of a stout Newport Harbor defense, particularly strong against the run, against a prolific Esperanza running attack.

Newport Harbor, coming off a surprising 24-0 win over a Mira Costa squad then ranked No. 4 in the CIF Western Division — the Tars’ third shutout of the campaign — has allowed opponents just 70.6 yards per game on the ground.

Esperanza, which topped Mira Costa, 42-28, on Sept. 15, has been averaging 8.5 yards per carry, which has come out to nearly 408 rushing yards per contest.

Partly by design and partly due to circumstances — the Aztecs have been in control of their five preleague games — Esperanza senior quarterback Kevin Jablonsky has thrown just 23 passes, resulting in 302 yards.

So, Coach Bill Pendleton’s Aztecs have produced nearly 85% of their 1,993 yards from scrimmage via the rush.

Making matters even more difficult for the Sailors, Esperanza combines a physical offensive line with a deceptive offense.

“It’s probably closest to a wing T,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “But they fly a guy by the quarterback right before the snap and they either hand it to him or fake it and do a lot of different things. They make you defend the whole field.”

Brinkley, who coordinates the Tars’ offense, said Esperanza’s defense also presents challenges with its aggressive schemes.

“They blitz you from every angle,” Brinkley said.

The Sailors’ offense has moved the ball, but has struggled to produce on the scoreboard. The Sailors are averaging nearly 297 yards per game, with an impressive run-pass balance of 801 yards on the ground and 687 through the air. But their 87 points this season are the fewest of any Sunset League team.

Meanwhile, Esperanza leads Sunset squads in scoring with 223 points, an average of 44.6 per contest.

“Their running back (Charles Neal) is going to Oregon and their quarterback has committed to the Air Force Academy,” Brinkley said. It’s almost like option responsibilities on defense, because you need stop the dive, the quarterback keep and the sweep. We have to make sure we take care of all of our responsibilities.”

Neal, a 6-1, 210-pound senior, has rushed for 786 yards and eight touchdowns on 80 carries, an average of 9.8 yards per attempt.

The 6-2, 185-pound Jablonsky, a returning senior starter, has rushed for 294 yards and eight touchdowns. He has completed an astounding 18 of 23 (78.3%) for 302 yards, with four TDs and just one interception.

Senior tackle Mike Calabrese, senior noseguard Charles Vickery and senior middle linebacker Nick Frazier have plugged up the middle for Sailor opponents.

Offensively, the Sailors will rely on junior tailback Ben Frazier, who has compiled 555 rushing yards and five TDs on 119 carries, behind an offensive line anchored by 382-pound senior right tackle Frank Muscatello.

Quarterback Kevin Williams played most of the game against Mira Costa, after having shared time equally with fellow senior Stephen Peterson the first four games. Williams completed 10 of 17 for 177 yards and two TDs, without an interception, last week. He is 35 of 55 for 441 yards, with three TDs and four interceptions this season.

The Sailors’ leading receiver is senior Brice Stillman, who has 16 catches for 264 yards and three TDs.

Esperanza’s leading receiver is senior Aaron Martinez (11 catches for 247 yards and three TDs).

“It’s always an exciting time to start league and it’s a lot different for us, having to prepare for a whole new group of teams,” said Brinkley, whose team won or shared the last two Sea View League titles.