Sailors’ defense shines

NEWPORT BEACH — With two dropped balls on kickoff returns, the Newport Harbor High football team was off to inauspicious start.

For those who follow the Sailors, they would call it uncharacteristic. But Newport Harbor quickly returned to their bread and butter — a swarming defense — to garner some positive results during an 80-play scrimmage against Troy at Davidson Field Friday afternoon.

However, the scrimmage had a disappointing finish, unfortunately for the Warriors. Troy senior captain Jeff Son, a defensive tackle and offensive lineman, sustained a neck injury. The scrimmage ended after that with 21 plays left.

Dave Martinez, Newport Harbor’s interim athletic director, said it appeared that Son would be fine. Son was carefully put in an ambulance truck as a precaution, but had feeling in all his extremities, Martinez said.

Though the ending wasn’t exactly what the Sailors wanted, they showed some strength on defense.

Newport’s defense generated six turnovers and two sacks. A rather impressive performance even though it was a scrimmage. The Sailors return just three starters on defense — Cecil Whiteside, Zack Moghaddam and JB Salem — but they appeared in midseason form, even while adjusting to the Warriors’ Wing-T attack.

“The turnover ratio was great today,” said Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley, who is in his 24th season with the Tars. “It was tough to get ready for the Wing-T in a day. That Wing-T is something you have to be ready for. Overall we played with some enthusiasm. It was a great day.”

Less than three weeks ago, Brinkley and his Sailors were in scramble mode after Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks canceled its scheduled scrimmage against Newport Harbor because the Knights were off to play in Texas this Monday.

But Brinkley said he was lucky to gain Troy. The Sailors did their best to take full advantage of the playing time, especially the defense.

Junior Parker Norton recorded two interceptions and junior Gabe Gomez also picked off a pass. Gomez also caused a fumble that Cody Campbell recovered. Sophomore Steve Michaelsen recovered a fumble after a bad snap. In a red-zone situation, junior Ryan Andrews stripped the ball from the running back and senior Ryan Iverson recovered.

“We really take pride in our defense,” said Whiteside, who has verbally committed to play for UC Berkeley. “We like to come out and set the tone and have a great attitude and know that we are setting the tone for the rest of the game.”

The offense also provided some highlights during the scrimmage, as did senior kicker Dillan Freiberg, who easily connected on field goals from 32 and 42 yards out.

Junior quarterback Austin Rios played well, Brinkley said. Rios connected on a 32-yard pass to Norton, who dived for the catch. Rios also delivered a touchdown pass, yet it was on a screen pass to Gomez, who did most of the work, following his blocks for 48 yards.

Gomez also gained 16 yards on another screen pass that featured a hard-hitting block from senior Brandon Coffey.

Rios admitted to being nervous after being named the starter in the spring, but he said he is now ready to go.

“I’m excited; I can’t wait,” said Rios, who takes over for Andrew McDonald, now a walk-on at the University of Arizona. “I was ready to go today, but I’ll be more fired up next week against Aliso [Niguel]. I think under the lights it will be more exciting.”

Rios also believes the Sailors can generate some momentum during nonleague games as they head into the highly competitive Sunset League.

Said Rios, “I’m not going to mention any names or anything, but I think we can surprise some people and show that we are actually a good football team and not just some young team trying to rebuild.”