Once playoffs come, everything resets to zero.
This was the message that the Sailors (4-7, 2-3) bought into as they played their first playoff game in two years (last season was COVID, no playoffs) at Davidson Field on Friday night, November 5th.
Sophomore sensation Josiah Lamarque wasted no time getting Newport an early lead when he returned the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown.
Keeping the momentum going, the Sailors forced Sunny Hills (7-4, 4-1) to punt on their opening drive. AJ Guitron-Moore hooked up with junior Kashton Henjum for a 24-yard score to make the score 14-0. That’s how the first quarter ended.
Sunny Hills did not have seven wins on the season for no reason, though. They clawed back to a 28-28 tie in the third quarter with a 79-yard score.
That lead did not last long, though, as senior runningback Hayden Farley ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run to put the Sailors back in front for good 35-28.
The Sailors defense took over from there. Jon Richardson did add a field goal to round off a 10-point margin. The Sailors sealed the game with an interception from Billy Riley and were able to use the clock to their advantage, eventually celebrating the win.
Newport Harbor’s Coach Lofthouse was pleased with his team’s efforts.
Next game is a quarterfinal game @ Santa Barbara High School salted for 7pm on November 12th.