Sailors, fans hold rally

NEWPORT BEACH — There’s just one problem with building a football program over 22 years and winning three CIF Southern Section titles: When you don’t make it to the playoffs, people talk.

With the start of the new school year quickly approaching, Newport Harbor High held its annual football pep rally Sunday afternoon. Jeff Brinkley, who has led the Sailors to 16 playoff appearances as head coach, addressed parents and fans lining the gymnasium.

Last year, Newport Harbor finished 6-4, and 3-2 in the Sunset League, missing the playoffs after a string of seven straight playoff appearances.

In the previous 14 seasons, the Sailors made it to the Southern Section championship game seven times.

“I’m sure a lot of programs would have been happy to have a 6-4 year,” Brinkley said. “I thought our players did a great job and went out and competed at the very highest level to go 3-2 in a tough Sunset League. But it is good to have those expectations, and we expect to improve on things this year, and we certainly want to get ourselves better and back into the playoffs.”

After Brinkley informed the crowd that the Sailors would face Long Beach Poly, the school that’s sent more players to the NFL than any other high school in the country, one parent sitting in the bleachers raised her eyebrows as her mouth dropped open.

Another, tongue in cheek, remarked, “Well, that should be fun.”

Brinkley went through the rest of the schedule, ticking off information about each opponent. He stopped at a sore spot.

Brinkley said he expected the Sailors to re-establish their dominance in the Battle of the Bay. Last year, Newport Harbor lost 12-6 to Corona del Mar, when it had won the previous seven meetings.

“Last year, I don’t think anyone was happy with the way that thing turned out,” Brinkley said, and he was met with laughter.

Newport Harbor had a week zero scrimmage against Foothill Friday at Tustin High, and Brinkley was generally pleased, save for a 30-yard run by Foothill.

The Sailors also had two fumbles, and Andrew McDonald threw an interception. But McDonald’s arm strength still looked impressive, he said.

Administrators kept the program short in the balmy gym, and acknowledged parents for attending in the middle of Labor Day weekend.

But even if everyone else has the extra day off, Brinkley is one man who doesn’t. He’s got Thursday’s home opener against Aliso Niguel to worry about.

“Once I get out of here,” he said with a smile, “I’ve got to go back to scouting again tonight.”