Sailors seek carbon copy

NH grid preview vs. Charter OakNewport Harbor aims to duplicate last year’s quarterfinal victory over Charter Oak in tonight’s Division VI contest.Déjà vu would be twice as nice for the Newport Harbor High football team, which, for the second straight season, will attempt to defeat visiting Charter Oak in the CIF Southern Section Division VI quarterfinals tonight at 7.

The Sailors (8-3) completed the first portion of their 2004 postseason rewind by topping El Dorado, 32-31, in overtime in the first round.

Last season, Newport Harbor’s run to its sixth section title game in 13 seasons began with wins over El Dorado and Charter Oak.

This season, however, the Sailors -- tri-champions of the Sea View League -- are the underdog against the Chargers (8-3), who enter as the No. 3 seed.

Charter Oak, which shared the Miramonte League title with Los Altos, extended its winning streak to four with a 14-7 first-round win over Bellflower. That game was a little too close for comfort for Coach Lou Farrar’s squad, which recovered a Bellflower fumble at its own 15-yard line to secure the win with 10 seconds remaining.

Newport Harbor received an even bigger scare last week. After erasing a 17-0 deficit, El Dorado opened the overtime with a touchdown and conversion kick to take its first lead of the game.

The Sailors, however, added a two-point conversion run after their overtime touchdown to advance past the first round for the 13th time in Brinkley’s 20 seasons at the helm.

Newport Harbor, which is bound for the Division I Sunset League next season, has won its last eight CIF quarterfinal appearances, dating back to 1991.

To keep that streak alive, the Tars will need to contain the Chargers’ speed, Brinkley said.

“They’re very athletic on the perimeter, so we’re really going to have to keep them hemmed in,” Brinkley said. “We were able to keep the ball in front of us, other than one big play last year [an 87-yard touchdown pass].”

Brinkley said sustaining drives on offense, something that has become one of the Sailors’ strengths, will help.

“If we’re controlling the ball, it will keep their offense off the field,” Brinkley said.

The Sailors have controlled the ball with a running game led by Ryan Rippon. The senior tailback, who missed the first four games while recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, has collected 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns on 154 rushing attempts. He has averaged nearly 218 yards per game the last three contests, during which he has averaged 8.7 yards per carry.

Rippon has scored five touchdowns the last two games and added the game-winning two-point conversion against El Dorado.

When the Sailors go to the air, senior quarterback Tom Jackson has been effective. Jackson has thrown for 1,137 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has completed 93 of 181 passes with five interceptions.

The Sailors’ receiving corps is led by senior James Coder (33 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns) and junior Jarrett Daniel (27 catches for 427 yards and nine touchdowns).

Charter Oak is also keyed by its ground game, fueled by tailback Brian Hunter. The senior has 1,417 yards and 13 touchdowns on 192 carries this fall.

The Chargers’ passing game is triggered by sophomore Drew Carreon. He has completed 82 of 161 for 1,310 yards. He has 12 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

Carreon’s favorite targets have been 6-foot-3 seniors Matt Austin (34 catches for 565 yards and four touchdowns) and Michael Johnson (28 catches for 470 yards and five touchdowns).

“They have a young quarterback, so we want to try to stop the run and make [Carreon] beat us,” Brinkley said.

Tonight’s winner advances to a Dec. 3 semifinal against either Aliso Niguel (9-2) or Tustin (5-6).20051125BC1LAAT9No Caption20051125ipx33tknMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Newport Harbor’s Ryan Rippon has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards in just seven games.