El Toro, Johnson Keep Newport Harbor at Bay

It was just another night on the job for El Toro High School quarterback Bret Johnson. Another 14 passes completed, another 242 yards, 3 more touchdowns, another victory.

Not his best night, or his worst. What’s next, Bret?

League.

The Chargers, ranked No. 1 in Orange County and the top-ranked team in California according to Cal Hi magazine, prepared themselves to start defending their South Coast League title next week by squashing Newport Harbor, 32-0.

El Toro (5-0) passed until the Sailor secondary must have been ready to pass out. Johnson seemed to be able to complete passes at will. Only 5 of his 19 attempts were incomplete, and he was never intercepted, an indignity he has suffered just once this season.

Newport Harbor (3-2) had reason to expect to be competitive. Not only were the Sailors coming off a three-game winning streak, but they had shut out two opponents and allowed only two touchdowns in four games.

Furthermore, if there was ever a time to take on El Toro, it should have been Thursday. Three of the Chargers’ senior starters were injured in last week’s 37-14 victory over El Modena.

The county’s leading receiver, Scott Miller, who had 26 receptions for 449 yards, was out with a sprained ankle. Running back Ron Chocklet, among the county leaders with 317 yards and a 6-yard-per-carry average, had suffered a hairline fracture in his lower leg. Defensive back Shane Brisbin was out with an injured knee.

But the theory of El Toro’s vulnerability evaporated into myth with the Chargers’ first possession . . . and their second . . . and their third. They scored each time to seize a 20-0 halftime lead.

When it was over, Miller’s replacements had proved equal to the task. Chris McCarthy caught 4 passes for 85 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Lance Doalson had 5 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Aly Diaz, a transfer from Twenty-nine Palms who took over at tailback, rushed 14 times for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Chargers had 355 yards in total offense and never committed a turnover. Newport Harbor had 202 yards of offense, including 145 yards of passing by quarterback Kirk Summers, who completed 19 of 29 passes. Mark Craig had 10 receptions for 103 yards.

But Newport’s most promising scoring opportunities, on attempted field goals of 27 and 48 yards by Sterling Coberly, were unsuccessful. Craig appeared to catch a scoring pass of 16 yards in the third quarter, but it was called back on an offensive pass interference penalty.