Spring Football Preview: Newport Harbor Still All A-Buzzy

Newport Harbor

2010 record: 6-5 overall, 3-2. Third place in Sunset League

Postseason: The Sailors lost at Alemany in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Pac 5 Division playoffs.

Coach: Jeff Brinkley (26^th season, 208-88-3)

Key Players Lost: Parker Norton, receiver-defensive back and team MVP; Ryan Andrew, linebacker-fullback; Austin Rios, quarterback; Kellon Truxton, receiver-defensive back; Blair Luchs, linebacker; Johnny Herzog, lineman; J.B. Salem, lineman.

Key Players Returning: Buzzy Yokoyama, strong safety-tailback; Ethan Cochran, outside linebacker; Cole Blower, quarterback; Titus Hasson, free safety-receiver; Steve Michaelsen, defensive end; Ted Berry, offensive guard; Hamilton Randle, lineman; Vince Aqueveque, tight end-linebacker.

Scholarship Offers: Michaelsen has offers from Air Force and Army, as well as interest from some PAC-12 schools, but hasn’t committed.

Returning Starters: 3 offense, 3 defense

Type of Offense: West Coast

Type of Defense: 4-3 multiple

Notes: The Sailors started last season at 3-0 before ending with a 3-4 finish to take third in the Sunset League. Stout defense, a solid running game and efficient passing attack led the Sailors to the playoffs for the second year in a row, but they could not get out of the first round. Newport Harbor will have to replace two-year starting quarterback Austin Rios, but returning senior Cole Blower proved to be ready to lead the team when filling in when Rios was injured last season.

The run game should benefit from the return of first-team all-leaguer Buzzy Yokoyama, who led the Sailors with 752 yards on the season and scored eight touchdowns despite playing only seven games because of a dislocated knee cap. The passing game lost its three top receivers, led by Norton’s 40 catches and four touchdowns receptions. The Sunset League should again be among the toughest in the county as five of the six teams have already had solid spring seasons.

The question mark for the Sailors this spring and heading into the 2011 season will be the youth and inexperience of their offensive line. They are expecting two sophomores to start on the line this season and how quickly they develop will be key. Coach Jeff Brinkley has liked what he’s seen so far from his offense, overall.

“It’s kind of been a learning process for them this spring,” Brinkley said.

The Sailors' strength lies on the defensive side of the ball. They have speed and should be a team that flies to the ball. That speed will be vital in a league race that includes traditionally high-powered offenses of teams such as Edison and Los Alamitos. The play of inside linebacker Stone Manoa and Steve Michaelsen at the end of the line will also be a big factor for the Sailors.

“I think we run to the ball well,” Brinkley said.

The Sailors have a strong nonleague schedule that should have them ready for league play. Trabuco Hills and San Clemente should be top county teams, and the Sailors will get a test from CIF-Southern Section semifinalist Corona del Mar in the Battle of the Bay on Sept. 23. In all, the final factor determining the Sailors' success, against a tough schedule, will be if they can avoid problems caused by their lack of depth.

“For us, we just have to keep all of our guys healthy,” Brinkley said.

Newport Harbor's 2011 Varsity Football Schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 8 at Trabuco Hills, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16 vs. Loyola, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23 vs. Corona del Mar at Orange Coast College, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 at San Clemente, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6 vs. Mira Costa, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14 vs. Fountain Valley, 7 p.m.*

Friday, Oct. 21 at Huntington Beach, 7 p.m. *

Friday, Oct. 28 vs. Los Alamitos, 7 p.m.*

Thursday, Nov. 3 vs. Marina at Westminster High, 7 p.m.*

Thursday, Nov. 10 vs. Edison, 7 p.m.*                                        

*Indicates Sunset League game