| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Harbor | 7 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
| Aptos | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
There’s nothing like the spoils of a big victory to make a week-long 800 mile round-trip worth it. Just ask the Newport Harbor football team – and the scores of Tar faithful that made the trip to witness Friday night’s thrilling 31-28 win at Aptos. The Sailors are bringing back a 2-0 record along with a treasure chest full of confidence, optimism and enthusiasm on the 10-hour bus ride home from Northern California.
“This trip, the bonding that occurred during this past week definitely showed itself in this game,” said an invigorated Head Coach Peter Lofthouse. “There’s a reason we walked out with a win and it’s because these kids trusted the process.”
In a four-quarter slugfest that featured five lead changes, the Sailors’ offense displayed the ability to both control the tempo with an effective ground game and strike quickly with an explosive passing attack. After a sluggish start, the unit kicked in to gear late in the opening quarter when quarterback Cole Lavin found receiver Mason Walker streaking through the secondary to complete a 63-yard catch & carry down to the Mariners’ goal line. Two plays later, running back Justin McCoy busted in from a yard out to give Harbor a 7-0 lead.
The Mariners took advantage of a Sailors bad punt snap early in the second quarter and tied the game on a first & goal run play from six yards out. On the home team’s next possession, fullback Dre Gomez smashed through the Harbor defense and raced 63 yards to put Aptos up by a touchdown.
The lead was short lived, however, as Lavin hit Walker on a quick post pattern for a 22-yard touchdown, tying the game at 14. The Sailors regained the lead on Wade Tankersley’s 20-yard field goal just before halftime.
The Mariners returned from the locker room inspired in their season opener and imposed their will on a six-play, 71-yard scoring drive to recapture the lead at 21-17.
While the Sailors were held scoreless in the third quarter, the offense found its rhythm in a time-consuming nine play drive resulting in a Lavin to Jake Keliikoa 22-yard touchdown strike on the first play of the fourth quarter. The Sailors netted four first downs on the drive with key plays including Lavin connections with Aidan Goltz for 12 yards, to Keliikoa for 24 yards, and an athletic 9-yard scramble by the junior quarterback.
Clinging to a 24-21 lead, the Harbor defense stepped up to make the impact play of the game. On 3rd & 4 in Aptos territory, senior defensive end Kris Kirnbauer blasted the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage before linebacker Chad Koste stripped the ball from his possession. Defensive tackle JJ Perez won the wrestling match for the fumble recovery to secure the game’s only turnover and quickly the Tar offense was back in business.
Lavin wasted no time putting the game out of reach when he zipped a perfectly placed 30-yard touchdown pass with an impressive grab by wideout Austin Muro to make it 31-21. Aptos scored on an 11-yard TD toss with just over seven minutes remaining but it would be its last possession. The Sailors killed off the clock with a controlled 11-play drive keyed by McCoy’s three first-down runs on third down plays. His 11-yard gain with just over a minute to play sent the Sailors in to victory formation.
Throughout the game, the measurably improving offensive line anchored by seniors Cole McCunniff and Carter Mathisrud provided Lavin enough time to complete 15 of 21 passes for 246 yards and the three touchdowns. Walker led the receiving corps with four receptions for 116 yards. McCoy finished with 71 yards on 17 carries and a score.
“I couldn’t be more excited. We came up here, got the ‘W’, that was dogfight, all four quarters,” an excited McCoy gushed. “I’m also proud of my O-lineman. They definitely opened up some holes, gotta give it to them, definitely.”
Other key defensive plays included a pair of open-field tackles by defensive back Mason Depoy in critical situations along with the relentless tackling of linebackers Koste, Johnny Brigandi and Brendan Duffy.
“It was nice to see the offense step up this week and really have a great week of practice and put it all together for four quarters tonight,” Lofthouse reflected. “We had two great games up here, with the jv and the varsity.” (link to JV game write up)
On Thursday night, a determined fourth quarter touchdown drive and critical defensive stand that went down to the game’s final play netted the Sailors junior varsity squad a 20-14 victory. The hard-fought win over the well-disciplined home team was inspiring for the Tar fans and varsity players in attendance ahead of Friday night’s main event.
The NHHS varsity/jv sweep caps a week of team-building activities on the Northern California trip that included a visit to Google headquarters, a tour of Alcatraz Island, a Giants-Diamondbacks baseball game and a hike in the redwood forest. If any of the players didn’t thoroughly enjoy the road trip, they should have… or need we remind them that school starts on Tuesday?
Team leaders:
Passing: Cole Lavin 15 of 21, 246 yds, 3 TD’s
Rushing: Justin McCoy 17 carries, 71 yds, TD
Receiving: Mason Walker 4 receptions, 116 yds
Aidan Goltz 5 receptions, 32 yds
–Matt Morrison