Newport Harbor Turns the Tables on Estancia

Newport Harbor’s football team reacquainted itself Friday night with something it had hadn’t seen in more than two games--the end zone.

After being shut out in the first half, the Sailors responded with two third-quarter touchdowns in a 14-0 nonleague victory over Estancia at Orange Coast College.

Junior quarterback Greg Williams completed 12 of 23 passes for 143 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver BranonColuccio with 8 minutes 48 seconds left in the third quarter. Coluccio caught nine passes for 108 yards.

Newport Harbor’s offense struggled in the first half, just as it had done in a 6-0 loss to Huntington Beach two weeks ago and a 10-0 loss to El Modena last week.

Sailor Coach Jeff Brinkley was relieved to finally see his team score.

“It was tough going through two games without a touchdown,” he said. “We were in both of those games, and we gave El Modena a heck of a game.”

Newport Harbor (3-2) failed to score in the first half despite driving to Estancia’s 27-, two-, 42- and 24-yard lines.

The Sailors’ biggest threat came with 1:03 left in the first quarter when they drove to Estancia’s two. On a fourth-and-goal, running back Tony Mancuso was stopped for no gain by the Eagles’ Aaron Leffler and Tony Naranjo.

Newport Harbor finally broke the scoreless tie in the third quarter. On the second play from scrimmage, Williams threw a short pass to Coluccio, who broke three tackles and gained 48 yards to the Estancia 24. Six plays later, Williams threw to Coluccio for the touchdown.

“We have to get the ball to Branon,” Brinkley said. “We haven’t been able to do that lately. He runs very well once he gets the ball.”

Newport Harbor’s second touchdown was set up when Leffler bobbled a bad punt snap and was tackled at the Estancia 19 by Steve Gonzales. Seven plays later, running back Brandon Finney scored on a four-yard run to give the Sailors a 14-0 lead with 1:24 left in the third quarter.

The Estancia (3-1-1) offense suffered through a horrible night, gaining only seven first downs and 148 yards.