Newport Harbor Sinks Canyon

Just trying to devise a way to stop Newport Harbor’s Brett Baker can give opposing coaches fits.

But that’s just the start of the headaches the senior running back can cause.

Teams also must deal with him as a punt returner and as a defensive back, and that can send any staff searching for the extra-large bottle of Advil.

Whatever Canyon (0-4) came up with Friday night didn’t work as Baker rushed for two touchdowns, caught a pass for another and returned an interception for his fourth score of the game as host Newport Harbor won, 47-6.

“He played a great game on both sides of the ball,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “He plays a full 48 minutes.”

Well, in theory anyway.

Baker bounced in front of a Canyon receiver to get an interception and raced 47 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter. It was the last play Baker was in on before retiring to the sideline to accept congratulations from his teammates.

“It’s always fun to get the defensive [touchdowns],” Baker said. “Those are the most rare. It’s kind of a toss-up, but both feel great. . . . I think we really came together as a team. We came out focused.”

The interception was the fourth of the season for Baker, who also rushed for 161 yards in 19 carries. Baker has rushed for 575 yards and scored nine touchdowns this season.

His scoring runs Friday came from one and 35 yards out. The one-yard run capped a 38-yard drive during which Baker carried on all five plays.

His touchdown reception was for 17 yards and capped a 27-point second quarter for Newport Harbor (4-0), which is unranked in Orange County but has outscored its opponents, 127 to 19.

The Sailors are ranked third in the Southern Section Division V behind Santa Margarita and Tustin.

Baker’s interception return was the first of three Newport Harbor defensive backs took to the end zone.

The second came when Oscar Constandse got in front of another Canyon receiver on a slant play and went 31 yards untouched for a 40-0 lead. It came on the next series after Baker’s.

The final one came when Aaron Maher went 19 yards, including fighting off three would-be tacklers over the final five yards, with about a minute left in the game.