Sailors Nearly Pitch Third Shutout

Newport Harbor just missed recording its third consecutive shutout and settled for a 17-6 nonleague victory over Foothill Friday at Tustin High.

The Sailors (3-0), who blanked Orange and Ocean View in their two previous outings, held the Knights (1-2) scoreless until Foothill quarterback Steve Wielandt connected with split end Justin Bower for a 34-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds remaining. That ended a streak of 11 scoreless quarters for the Sailors.

“The kids are a little let down we didn’t get the shutout, but we got the win, and that’s what’s important,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said.

Quarterback Greg Williams threw one touchdown pass, and running back Steve Gonzales ran for another to lead Newport Harbor. Wade Tift rushed for a game-high 108 yards in 17 carries.

The Sailors took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter when Williams hit tight end Jason Lawson with an 11-yard touchdown pass.

Doug Stuckey added a 19-yard field goal with 10:23 left in the third quarter after defensive back Mike Gear recovered a Foothill fumble at the Knights’ six-yard line.

Gonzales scored on a one-yard run with 1:35 remaining.

Foothill had 251 yards of total offense; the Sailors had 238 yards.

Wielandt completed eight of 15 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown.