PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS / CENTRAL CONFERENCE : Newport Harbor Rallies Past Sunny Hills

Newport Harbor overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit with 24 unanswered points in the second half to upset third-seeded Sunny Hills, 31-21, in the Central Conference playoffs in front of 1,500 at Spaulding Field Friday night.

The Sailors face Pacifica next week in the second round.

Scott Morency led the Sailors (8-3) with 81 yards in 23 carries. The senior tailback scored two touchdowns on a 1-yard run and 3-yard run as Newport Harbor ousted the Lancers (9-2).

Newport Harbor tied the game at 14-14 early in the third quarter on 40-yard drive, which was aided by two pass interference penalties. Quarterback Kirk Summers hit wide receiver Brian Kosi with a 7-yard pass for the touchdown.

The go-ahead points came on a 49-yard field by Jeff Jacobs, which gave the Sailors a 17-14 lead with 25 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Sunny Hills quarterback David Chisum completed 10 of 21 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, but was pressured constantly by the Newport Harbor defense. The Sailors sacked Chisum six times for a minus-38 yards.

Newport Harbor managed just 61 yards in total offense during the first half, but came back with 165 yards in the second half.