Sailors’ Season Ends in State Regional Final

Sailors’ Season Ends in State Regional Final

Every football team at any level strives to win the last game of the season. In the postseason, that means a championship. If ever a playoff loss is easily consolable, it’s Newport Harbor’s season-ending 42-28 defeat Friday night at Aquinas Catholic of San Bernardino.

The Sailors (7-8) amazing run of four straight post-season victories – earning the CIF Southern Section Division 6 championship – comes to an end in the State Regional 3-AA final. Aquinas (11-5) advances to play Vanden for the 3-AA title in the California Bowl Championship Series.

“You guys should walk off this field very proud in what you’ve accomplished,” Head Coach Peter Lofthouse told his Sailors team in his final post-game huddle of the season. “Hey, we’re getting rings, fellas. There is no shame in winning a CIF title.”

There was certainly no shame in Harbor’s effort in the state semifinal, particularly in the first half as the Sailors played maybe its most efficient two quarters of the season. After receiving the opening kickoff, the NHHS offense sailed through a penalty-free, 14-play, 89-yard drive to take the early lead. The drive included a razzle-dazzle double-pass play that saw sophomore receiver Josiah Lamarque take a backward swing pass toward the right sideline and complete a 17-yarder to junior Kashton Henjum across midfield for a first down. Senior quarterback AJ Guitron-Moore later threw a strike to Lamarque for a 13-yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Harbor.

After Aquinas tied the score on a short touchdown run by freshman runningback Jusyls Solis to cap a 7-play opening drive of its own, the Sailors regained the lead with its second possession. Senior receiver Duke Starnes made a leaping grab in the end zone of a 15-yard Guitron-Moore pass on the first play of the second quarter to make it 14-7. Starnes earlier made a clutch 29-yard grab for a first down on the 9-play drive.

NHHS extended the lead to 21-7 after the defense forced an Aquinas punt and the offense struck quickly. On the third play of the possession, Guitron-Moore hit Lamarque on a quick slant that the playmaker nicknamed ‘Boogie’ turned into a 53-yard touchdown sprint. The Falcons showed resolve with touchdowns on its next two possessions and after the Sailors blocked the second extra point try, the game went to halftime with Harbor on top 21-20.

The third quarter, however, was a broadside torpedo; a direct hit as Harbor’s hopes began to sink. It began with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by the Falcons’ Kaden Willerford to open the second half. That was followed by another Solis touchdown run, his third of the game, this one covering 57 yards. A 6-yard touchdown run by Falcons quarterback Dre Robles made it 42-21 on 35 unanswered points by Aquinas.

“Unfortunately, they had the big return early which put us on our heels unexpectedly,” Lofthouse reflected afterwards. “We had a couple miscues but credit that team on the other sideline. They played a hell of a game and in third quarter, they definitely got us out of our rhythm.”

Though the Sailors recovered in the fourth quarter to keep spectators on their feet, it would ultimately be too little, too late. A spectacular over-the-shoulder diving catch by Henjum good for 32-yards propelled an 8-play drive that junior Hayden Farley completed with a 3-yard touchdown run. With the score 42-28, junior cornerback Billy Ridley grabbed an interception to keep hope afloat. A thrilling, 11-play desperation NHHS drive died on the Aquinas 23 yard line when Lamarque was hauled down short on a 4th down completion. With it, the Sailors playoff run and extensive 2021 season died too.

Harbor’s dynamic receiver tandem of Henjum and Lamarque combined for over 300 yards through the air. Both returning next season, Henjum grabbed 12 receptions for 159 yards and Lamarque also had 12 catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Guitron-Moore finished 27 of 44 passing for 352 yards with three TD’s. Henry Slater led NHHS in rushing with 34 yards on 11 carries.

“There is a lot to be very proud of,” Lofthouse summed it all up. “While we lose some good senior football players, we return a lot of this team back. For most of them, this was the 21st game in the last calendar year. This is a very good team that we can continue to build on.”

– Matt Morrison

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