PREP EXTRA / SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Newport Harbor Controls Ball and Foothill in 28-7 Victory

Newport Harbor’s final drive of its 28-7 victory over Foothill typified its game-long domination of the Knights.

The Sailors (3-0) held the ball for more than nine minutes during one drive in the fourth quarter. And Newport Harbor culminated the 14-play, 55-yard drive by converting a fourth down and 32.

Running back Edon Kagasoff took a pitch from quarterback John Giordani, who threw three touchdown passes, and raced around the right end for 35 yards and the game’s final score. Giordani completed eight of 15 passes for 150 yards and Kagasoff gained 94 yards in 17 carries to lead a balanced attack.

Newport Harbor’s defense was equally effective, allowing only 39 yards passing, 154 total yards and no points.

Foothill’s only points came early in the second quarter. Newport Harbor punter Matt Riggle mishandled a snap inside his five, and after the Knights blocked the punt, Jeff Svicarovich recovered the loose ball in the end zone to give Foothill a 7-0 lead.

The Knights (1-2) appeared to seize the momentum when defensive back Matt Bower intercepted a Giordani pass at the Foothill 12 with 6 minutes 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

But Newport Harbor’s defense responded when Scott Sanderson made his second interception, giving the Sailors the ball at the Foothill 23.

Five plays later, Newport Harbor tied the score, 7-7, when Giordani completed a play-action, seven-yard touchdown pass to Dan McDonough with 4:50 remaining in the second quarter.

McDonough also made the next big play for Newport Harbor.

With Foothill facing a fourth and four at its 23, punter Mike Boyes bobbled the snap inside the 10 and McDonough led a host of Sailors who tackled Boyes at the nine.

Two plays later, Giordani tossed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Mike Freeman, and the 6-foot-1, 225-pound tight end bowled over three defenders to reach the end zone with 1:42 remaining in the half.

Newport Harbor scored on its first possession of the third quarter when Giordani hooked up with Jon Benzinger for a 57-yard touchdown pass, and Jeff Pardy’s conversion pushed the score to 21-7.

Newport Harbor’s defense took over from there.

The Sailors forced four Foothill turnovers, and the Knights turned the ball over on downs twice. Foothill quarterback Mike Ford struggled against the Sailors, completing three of 15 passes with three interceptions. Last week, Ford passed for 215 yards in a loss to Woodbridge.

“Our defense did a great job,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “They have a big physical team, and that’s what we’ll see in league. So it was good to see us play well.”