Calabrese leads honors

Newport Harbor High senior tackle Mike Calabrese earned the Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year award, making him one of six senior Sailors receiving first-team accolades from league football coaches.

Calabrese, a 6-foot-1, 224 pounder, led Newport Harbor with 12 tackles for losses, five sacks and three forced fumbles.

Four other Sailors honored were on the defensive side, a bright spot in a disappointing season in which Newport Harbor (6-4, 3-2 in league) missed the playoffs.

Responsible for allowing the opposition 12.2 points per game were middle linebacker Nick Frazier, noseguard Charles Vickery, end Bryce Jardine and cornerback Brice Stillman.

Senior Jarrett Daniel earned first-team honors on offense. He had 28 receptions for 386 yards and two TDs.

Frazier, a 5-11, 211-pounder, finished with a team-best 96 tackles, recovered two fumbles and had one interception.

Vickery, who blocked two kicks, recorded eight sacks, tying for team honors with Jardine, who also recovered three fumbles. Vickery (55) and Jardine (51) ranked third and fourth on the team in tackles.

Stillman blocked a kick, intercepted a pass and made 33 tackles.

Five Tars were second-team picks.

On the offensive line, senior right tackle Frank Muscatello, senior right guard Brian Beaudette and junior left tackle Nathan Castillo helped average 153 rushing yards per game.

Junior tight end Dusty Campbell had nine catches for 95 yards and two TDs.

Sophomore linebacker Brandon Kula’s 61 tackles ranked second on the team.