The Newport Harbor football team will make a significant trek north to Palmdale in the Antelope Valley for Friday night’s CIF semifinal game at Highland High. Tar faithful planning to make the trip should expect a three or more hour travel time for the 120-mile (minimum) trip in holiday weekend traffic. The Tar football boosters are organizing a parent bus accommodation for travelers age 21 and over at a cost of $55 per rider.
NOTE: Rooter Bus Reservations are required by 9pm on Wednsday, November 20th -buy online here
Spectators should also prepare for chilly evening temperatures expected to dip below 40 degrees.
The Sailors (9-3) rallied to defeat Monrovia (10-2) by the final score of 24-20 in a thrilling quarterfinal victory last Friday at Davidson Field. Highland (9-3) is coming off a 42-29 win over Lakewood (5-7) in its Division IX quarterfinal match-up. The Bulldogs have averaged 50 points per game in their two playoff wins. Harbor has scored a total of 59 points in post-season victories over Monrovia and St. Anthony.
Highland features a high-powered rushing offense behind a solid offensive line and 165-pound senior running back Isaiah Creech who has gained 1,551 yards on 144 carries this season, an average of over ten yards per carry. He’s scored 30 total touchdowns, 23 on the ground. Senior quarterback Damien Pecoraro has completed 62-percent of his pass attempts for 1,934 yards and 27 touchdowns with eight interceptions. The Bulldogs spread the ball to several different receivers led by junior Joshua Clark with 25 receptions for 448 yards and two TD’s.
The Sailors on offense have evolved in a multi-dimensional blend of run/pass options with several players returning for the playoffs after late-season injuries. Junior running back Justin McCoy remains the workhorse, rushing for 326 yards and five touchdowns in two post-season wins. Sophomore quarterback Nick Kim remains the starter after the return of junior QB Cole Lavin, who scored a touchdown rushing from the quarterback position, caught one pass as a receiver and ran for 31 yards on five carries while also contributing on defense the last two weeks. Senior Aidan Goltz leads the receiving corps that benefitted from the return of senior Mason Walker for the post-season. Goltz had ten receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in the quarterfinal win.
Senior co-captains Chad Koste and Johnny Brigandi spearhead the defense from the linebacker position with the defensive front solidified under seniors Kris Kirnbauer, JJ Perez and juniors Chris Jover, Erik Hehl, Eric Hilliard and sophomore Nathan Peters. Seniors Austin Muro and Michael Morrison lead the defensive backfield with juniors Mason DePoy, Kaden Stowell and Spencer O’Bryan solidifying the unit. Depth has developed out of injury necessity with seniors Baylor King, Zach Debernarde and Owen Fisher, junior Timothy Tizon and sophomore Andrew Cheiner making significant contributions. The coaching staff has also installed offensive athletes Goltz, Walker and Lavin in situational defensive use in the post-season.
The Sailors finished with a #4 ranking in the CIF Division IX poll while Highland finished 10th. Newport Harbor is currently ranked #177 in the state of California by the national MaxPreps website; Highland is ranked #168. Kickoff for the semifinal game Friday night at Highland High in Palmdale is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
– Matt Morrison