Newport Harbor Shuts Down Claremont

Newport Harbor found the perfect ingredient in its recipe for stopping host Claremont’s potent offensive attack.

Just add water.

Under a steady light rain, the Sailors completely shut down the Wolfpack’s offense en route to a 28-7 victory Friday night at La Verne Bonita High.

Dominant on both sides of the ball, Newport (4-1) sloshed its way to 415 net yards, while holding the Wolfpack (3-2) to only 97 yards, 77 coming on one play.

The Wolfpack managed only four first downs and had 13 plays go for negative yardage.

Newport Harbor senior tailback Chris Manderino rushed for 156 yards and one touchdown in 28 carries.

Manderino’s running enabled junior quarterback Morgan Craig time to attack the Wolfpack defense. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior wide receiver Brian Gaeta caught six passes for 98 yards and one touchdown.

Newport set the tone on its first drive, marching 59 yards in 15 plays, with Manderino scoring on a two-yard run.

The Sailors’ defense gave up only 14 total yards of offense in the first half, and the offense controlled the clock with long drives.

Newport scored again when senior running back Ryan Ortega, who rushed for 92 yards in 12 carries, plowed up the middle for a 15-yard touchdown.

Newport then found success in the air.

Craig hit Gaeta with a 26-yard touchdown pass midway through the third quarter and later, hit wide receiver Mitch Gray with a 26-yard touchdown pass, blowing the game open.