Wade Tift

School: Newport Harbor High

Sport: Football

Position: Running back

Class: Junior

As a sophomore, Tift started for the Newport Harbor football and basketball teams and threw the shot put more than 52 feet for the track and field team. Jeff Brinkley, the Sailors’ football coach, considered moving Tift to quarterback this season to take further advantage of his all-around ability. But when the season started, Greg Williams had won the quarterback spot, which allowed Tift to remain at his natural position: tailback. The Sailors have reaped the benefits. Tift averaged slightly more than 180 yards per game rushing in Newport Harbor’s last three games, including Friday’s regular-season ending 219-yard performance against Saddleback. Tift, who also plays free safety, carried the ball 31 times and scored touchdowns of 35 and 44 yards in the second half. “His speed is deceptive,” Brinkley said. “It doesn’t look like he’s running as quick as he is, but he has broken away a couple of times and no one has run him down.”

Other top performers:

Jason Covarrubias, whose 34-yard field goal was the difference in Western’s 10-7 victory over Anaheim that forced a three-way tie for the Orange League title. He also averaged 45 yards on seven punts, including punts of 62 and 59 yards.

Sam Grayeli, who scored 13 goals in Costa Mesa’s two Division III water polo playoff victories--five in a 13-5 victory over Indio and seven in a 24-7 victory over Charter Oak.

Aaron Meschuk, who rushed for 281 yards and three second-half touchdowns in Whittier Christian’s 58-21 victory over Orange Lutheran.

Prinya Satitpunwaycha, who caught 12 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns and scored the game’s other touchdown on a two-yard run to lead La Quinta to a 28-0 victory over Bolsa Grande.