Newport Harbor’s Gonzales Goes Far Fast

Steve Gonzales’ premier performance at running back for Newport Harbor was short and sweet. He rumbled, and the Orange defense crumbled.

In just one quarter, Gonzales trampled his way through defenders, laying the groundwork for the Sailors’ 24-0 victory Thursday at El Modena High. He gained 105 of his 138 yards and scored two touchdowns in the first 12 minutes, then was held back the rest of the night.

Gonzales, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior, had a good start in his a first game as a running back. Smashing, in fact.

There certainly wasn’t anything fancy about his style. It was just effective.

“My adrenaline was really flowing,” Gonzales said. “I just bounced off guys.”

Twice, he did so for touchdowns. The first was an 11-yard run that left five defenders in his wake. The second covered 53 yards, during which he careened off two would-be tacklers at midfield and gave the Sailors a 21-0 on the final play of the first quarter.

Gonzales, who played only defense last season, saw little time on offense after that. He did play linebacker.

“Steve wasn’t feeling well after the first quarter,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “I think his nerves and the pregame meal got to him. He was a little ill.”

But it was Orange that looked it. The Panthers bumbled and fumbled on offense.

They turned the ball over four times, twice on fumbles and twice on interceptions. They gained only146 total yards and had five first downs.