Bravehearts

Patrick Laverty

Going against an underdog that runs an untraditional offensive

formation can cause trouble for even the best of teams.

But Newport Harbor High’s defense had little trouble containing

the option attack of Dana Hills High last week in a 36-6 victory.

The Sailors limited Dolphins quarterback Nathan Barnett, the

team’s leading rusher, to 30 yards on 10 carries as the defensive

ends played the option flawlessly and the defensive tackles prevented

big gains on the dive play.

“I thought we did a good job,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley

said. “We played real well inside. [Mark] Temple and [Austin] Nieto

continued to play well. Temple’s been a real surprise, how well he’s

played.”

Temple and Nieto, two of four senior starters on defense, have

been stalwarts at the tackle position. Nieto was one of two returning

starters on defense and Temple has fit in nicely next to him.

The defensive ends, Sean Rowe and Saami Khalifian, both juniors,

contained Barnett on the option pitch.

“Rowe and Khalifian did a good job tackling the quarterback,”

Brinkley said.

Combined, the four defensive linemen have helped limit opponents

to just five touchdowns in four games. No opponent has scored more

than 14 points against Newport Harbor and only one has reached double

digits.

Rowe’s strong play, in the absence of senior Peter Hoyt, who has

been out with a broken hand, has added depth to the defensive front.

Hoyt is expected to return this week against Paramount, with padding

around the cast on his hand. But Rowe, who moved to defensive end

from linebacker, will continue to start.

“He has done a good job moving down to a three-point stance,”

Brinkley said. “He’s another guy in the 185-pound range that runs

real well.”

Quickness is the Sailors’ forte along the defensive front. It has

to be because of the group’s limited size. Nieto is just 5-foot-9,

202 pounds. Temple, the biggest of the bunch, is 5-11, 220. Hoyt is listed at 201 pounds, while Rowe is listed at 200 pounds and

Khalifian is 185 pounds.

The quickness is particularly apparent with Khalifian. He runs

with the fastest players on the team in the Sailors’ sprint drills

and has used his speed to cause numerous problems for opposing

offenses this season.

“He had a real good spring,” Brinkley said. “We had a hard time

blocking him because he’s real quick. He continues to present

problems for people because of the way he runs.”

As does the entire Sailor line. They will continue to run around

opposing offensive linemen, even as those linemen continue to get

bigger.

“We’ve competed pretty well against the size,” Brinkley said. “But

lines are going to keep getting bigger as we get going. This week,

Paramount has some big guys. Foothill and Irvine are both real big

this year. Hopefully, our quickness and ability will compensate for

our lack of size.”