Football players seek opportunity on next level

Newport Harbor High seniors Brandon Kula and Michael Helfrich will do their best to make their respective college football teams as they will have preferred walk-on status at USC and Cal, respectively. Senior lineman Scott Ward will move to play at Columbia, Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said.

Kula, a linebacker for the Sailors, will try to make it on the Trojans’ team as a fullback, while Helfrich is competing for a spot at safety with the Bears.

Brinkley also said quarterback Andrew McDonald could possibly be a preferred walk-on at Arizona and all-purpose standout JB Green is deciding to compete with the same opportunity at Cal or Stanford.

Danny Miller will most likely play for a program in the Ivy League, Brinkley said.

The six Newport Harbor players were Daily Pilot Dream Team selections.

— Steve Virgen