Defense Keeps Sailors Undefeated

Just enough offense and more than enough defense led Newport Harbor High to its third unbeaten regular season in its 69-year history as the Sailors held off Aliso Niguel, 14-7, Friday night at Aliso Niguel.

“Our defense has been doing a great job all year and tonight, they really stepped up,” Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “It’s a great feeling for our kids. They’ll walk away from the game with this memory for the rest of their lives.”

The victory gives the Sailors (9-0-1, 4-0 in league) the Sea View League title outright and they will most likely get a No. 2 seeding when the Southern Section Division VI playoffs begin next week.

Running with a bulls eye on his chest for Aliso Niguel (5-5, 1-3) was Iman Nikzad.

After gaining 351 yards and five touchdowns last week against Woodbridge, Newport held him to only 66 yards in 17 carries and no touchdowns.

Newport opened the scoring and never trailed. Quarterback Chris Manderino found Billy Clayton with a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter to give Newport a 7-0 lead.

It was a short-lived lead as Nikzad returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for Aliso’s only score to tie it.

Newport Harbor tailback Andre Stewart rushed for 186 yards in 32 carries.

Manderino found Clayton again in the end zone with two minutes remaining in the half, this time on a 17-yard strike in the back of the end zone. The Sailors regained the lead, 14-7, on Clayton’s diving catch, which turned out to be the final score.

“Billy did a great job tonight,” Brinkley said. “Chris also did a great job of finding the open man when he needed to.”