OCVarsity’s season preview for 2016:
NEWPORT HARBOR SAILORS
Coach: Jeff Brinkley
Last season: 4-6 overall, 2-3 league
Scouting report: The Sailors return enough experience to be encouraged despite the offseason transfer of quarterback Michael Bonds to St. Francis of La Canada. There are five returning starters on offense and five more on defense. Cole Kinder is arguably the top running back in the league after rushing for 1,317 yards last season. The senior will run behind a line featuring four returning starters, led by tackle Mike Jarboe. Sam Barela, an accurate sophomore, replaces Bonds and is coming off a strong summer. Dayne Chalmers, a 6-4 wide receiver, is another sophomore to watch. Newport Harbor returns two starters on the defensive line, including Alex Michaelsen, and two more at linebacker. “I like that (defensive) front,” Coach Jeff Brinkley said. Cornerback Levi Hooper, an all-league selection in 2015, leads the secondary.
Bottom line: The Sailors look like a solid playoff contender partly due to its deep talent on the line. Newport Harbor usually relies on a few of its best linemen to play both ways but with several players of almost equal abilities, Brinkley hopes to play more linemen only one way.
Players to watch: Sam Barela, QB, So.; Cole Kinder, RB, Sr.; Levi Hooper, WR/CB, Sr.; Mike Jarboe, OT, Sr.; Alex Michaelsen, OL/LS, Sr.; Billy Hanck, DE, Jr.; Spencer Blake, DT, Jr.
RELATED LINKS
- Sunset League preview
- Edison preview
- Los Alamitos preview
- Huntington Beach preview
- Newport Harbor preview
- Marina preview
- Fountain Valley preview
Contact the writer: dalbano@scng.com
