Newport Harbor Storms Back for Upset

Newport Harbor used one of those “don’t try this at home” methods to stay alive in the Division IV football playoffs.

The Sailors spotted previously unbeaten Riverside Rubidoux an early two-touchdown lead and then stormed back to upset the Falcons 28-14 in a quarterfinal at Newport Harbor High School.

Newport Harbor (10-2) will face Corona del Mar in a semifinal next Friday.

“Obviously, giving up 14 points early to someone like that is a little bit upsetting,” said Newport Harbor quarterback Greg Williams. The Sailors allowed two touchdowns to top-seeded Rubidoux (11-1) in the first seven minutes of the game. “We just needed something good to happen.”

That something good came late in the first quarter when Rubidoux’s Isait de la Fuente muffed a punt. The Sailors recovered and scored two plays later on a 21-yard pass from Williams to Chad LaBass.

The score seemed to deflate Rubidoux, which again turned the ball over on its next possession. Newport Harbor again came right back with a touchdown, and it was clear the momentum had changed.

“Those turnovers gave them a spark,” Rubidoux Coach Wayne Cochrun said. “They jumped up to a different level, higher than we could play.”

The Sailors got what proved to be the winning touchdown midway through the third quarter when Colin Morris scampered 47 yards on a misdirection play. Morris scored on the same play from 12 yards out late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

“These kids really showed a lot character coming back like they did,” Sailor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “We’ve been in the quarterfinals five of the last six years. We’ve finally made it to the semifinals.”

Wade Tift led the Sailors offensively, rushing for 91 yards in 26 carries.

“We weren’t supposed to win this,” Tift said. “Now we’re going all the way.”

Jasper Williams gained 77 yards in 12 carries for Rubidoux, including 64 yards on a first-quarter touchdown run.

R--Willcot 10 run (Alberga kick)

R--Williams 64 run (Alberga kick)

NH--LaBass 21 pass from Williams (Stuckey kick)

NH--Freeman 12 pass from Williams (Stuckey kick)

NH--Morris 47 run (Stuckey kick)

NH--Morris 12 run (Stuckey kick)

LEADING RUSHERS--R: Williams 12-77; NH: 26-91. LEADING PASSERS--R: Edwards 2-7-2, 49; NH: 7-13-1, 61. LEADING RECEIVERS--R: de la Fuente 1-46; NH: Freeman 3-24.

Attendance--4,000.