Newport defense rising to challenge

Rick Devereux

The Newport Harbor High football team has made every Sea View League

game a must-win situation, according to Coach Jeff Brinkley.

“That tie [against Foothill] means we need to win our remaining

games in order to win the league championship,” Brinkley said. “We

have definitely put ourselves in a position where we can be part of

the league title.”

The Sailors controlled previously unbeaten Aliso Niguel en route

to a 21-7 league victory Friday. Newport Harbor (6-0-1, 1-0-1 in

league) plays at Irvine (4-3, 1-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Vaqueros

were league tri-champions last year and beat Harbor, 22-20.

But this year’s Newport edition is on a roll, keeping opponents

guessing with a balanced offense and pounding opponents with a

dominating defense.

“I like the way we’re playing right now,” Brinkley said. “We’re

playing hard and you can see we care a lot and are giving forth a

hard effort.”

Newport Harbor, ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division VI,

leads the league in fewest points allowed at 75. Teams average fewer

than 86 rushing yards per game against the Sailor defense and fewer

than 114 passing yards.

The Irvine offense runs primarily an I-formation, but in last

week’s 18-7 loss to Woodbridge, the Vaqueros sported a three-back

attack for the first time all season. Whatever the formation, it is

evident Irvine will try to run first and pass second.

“They will try to throw off of the running game and use a lot of

play action,” Brinkley said. “They have the ability to [run and pass]

effectively.”

When Newport has the ball, the Vaqueros will run a “Bear 46”

alignment on defense, which means the Sailors will have a hard time

running the ball.

“They give you a lot of different blitzes from a lot of different

angles,” Brinkley said. “We have to make sure we account for their

blitzes.”

Newport Harbor, after beginning the year with multiple starters

sitting out due to injuries, is getting more and more people back

every week.

Running back Ryan Rippon, who was sidelined with ligament damage

to his right knee, saw his first action of the year in the Aliso

Niguel game, gaining 3 yards on four carries in mostly short-yardage

situations.

In Rippon’s absence, Trevor Theriot took most of the rushing

burden, gaining 663 yards and two touchdowns on 103 carries to lead

the team.

When Theriot suffered a dislocated left elbow against Corona del

Mar Sept. 23, Thomas Martin assumed the starting running back role

and gained 226 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries in two

games.

“We definitely have backs that can run the football,” Brinkley

said. “I’m pleased with what we’ve got. [Running backs coach Bill]

Brown has done an excellent job. It is especially nice [to have

Rippon back] because Theriot and Martin both start on defense, so

when we need to give these guys a rest, it is nice to still be able

to run the ball effectively.”