Kickoff '08: Newport Harbor Sailors

September 01, 2008 1:44 PM

By DAN ALBANO

OCVarsity.com

:
OCVarsity previews football teams for the 2008-09 season.

Newport Harbor

Last season: 8-4, 3-2 (tied for third)

Postseason: 2007, lost to Long Beach Poly, 35-14, in Pac-5 Division quarterfinals

Coach: Jeff Brinkley (23rd, 189-75-3)

Outlook: The Sailors are loaded with returners from a squad that upset Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the first round of the Pac-5 playoffs last season. Newport Harbor has eight back on offense, including its entire backfield and top two receivers. On defense, the Sailors return seven starters, including their complete set of linebackers. If Newport Harbor stays healthy, the Sailors could be tough.

Home stadium: Newport Harbor

Factoid: Starting linebacker Nick Svendsen has recovered from a knee injury that sidelined him last season.

Strongest: Brandon Kula

Fastest: J.B. Green

School record: 440-301-30

Players to watch
	J.B. Green Hauled 10 touchdown receptions last season		Cecil Whiteside Racked up 69 tackles as a sophomore

Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
QB	Andrew McDonald	6-2	180	Sr.
RB	Michael Helfrich	6-0	181	Sr.
RB	Brandon Kula	6-2	215	Sr.
WR	J.B. Green	6-1	190	Sr.
WR	Cecil Whiteside	6-3	206	Jr.
TE	Ned Lyon	6-2	188	Sr.
LT	Scott Ward	6-7	241	Sr.
LG	Peter Kinney	5-11	221	Sr.
C	Michael McKay	6-0	230	Sr.
RG	Jake Taylor	5-11	246	Jr.
RT	Andrew Packham	6-4	300	Jr.
K	Dillan Freiberg	5-8	146	Jr.
KR	JB Green	6-1	190	Sr.
Pos.	Player	Ht.	Wt.	Year
DE	Scott Ward	6-7	241	Sr.
DT	Zach Moghaddam	5-11	245	Jr.
DE	JB Salem	6-4	215	So.
OLB	Ned Lyon	6-2	188	Sr.
ILB	Brandon Kula	6-2	215	Sr.
MLB	Cecil Whiteside	6-3	206	Jr.
OLB	Nick Svendsen	6-3	204	Sr.
C	JB Green	6-1	190	Sr.
SS	Michael Helfrich	6-0	181	Sr.
F	S Adrian Luchs	6-2	200	Sr.
CB	Danny Miller	5-10	177	Sr.
P	Dillan Freiberg	5-8	146	Jr.
PR	JB Green	6-1	190	Sr.