Newport Harbor Gets Playoff Bid With Offensive Fireworks

There were plenty of fireworks on the north end of Santa Ana Stadium during Saddleback High School’s homecoming ceremonies at halftime of the Roadrunners’ game Friday night against Newport Harbor, but the majority of the sparks provided between the goal lines came courtesy of the visiting Sailors.

The pyrotechnic display was about all the Saddleback partisans in the crowd of 2,000 had to cheer about as Newport Harbor (7-3, 3-2 in league) hammered the Roadrunners, 42-14, to gain a spot in the Division VI playoffs. Saddleback (4-6, 2-3) was eliminated from postseason play.

Newport Harbor took advantage of various Saddleback turnovers and a well-balanced passing and running attack to win.

“We ran the ball real well,” said Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley. “We look real quick. Maybe we are getting a second wind.”

What the Sailors were getting early in the game was a lot of charity from the Saddleback offense.

Newport Harbor opened the scoring when quarterback Steve Walker ran in from five yards 1 minute 30 seconds into the game and four plays after Newport Harbor defensive tackle Pat Werner recovered a fumble by Saddleback fullback Hernan De Santos on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

The second Sailor touchdown came when linebacker Darin Mangnall intercepted a pass from Paul Delgado with 10:45 left in the second quarter. Mangnall returned the ball 20 yards to give Newport Harbor a 14-0 edge.

Newport Harbor then scored on a couple of one-yard runs by junior running back Brandon Finney for a 28-0 halftime lead. A 50-yard pass play from Walker to junior wide receiver Aaron McKown, who was tackled from behind at the one-yard line, set up the second score by Finney.

The Sailors increased their lead to 42-0 in the third period with a 25-yard pass play from Walker to senior tight end George Greenwalt and on a two-yard run by senior running back Billy Gabriel.

Saddleback, which had not penetrated into Newport Harbor territory all night, finally broke through late in the third period and avoided the shutout with an eight-yard touchdown run by senior tailback Mike Castro with one second left in the quarter.

A 35-yard pass from Delgado to wide receiver Robert Reyes with 1:36 remaining in the game accounted for Saddleback’s final touchdown.

Walker completed four of six passes for 104 yards and one touchdown and Gabriel rushed 15 times for 66 yards.

Delgado was 13 of 28 for 149 yards and Castro ran for 69 yards in 14 carries.

Brinkley also praised his defensive unit after the game.

“We’ve played good defense the last two weeks,” he said.