Newport Harbor surprises No. 4 Los Alamitos
NEWPORT BEACH - Parker Norton caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Austin Rios on fourth-and goal late in the fourth quarter as Newport Harbor upset No. 4 Los Alamitos, 23-20, in Sunset League football Friday night at Newport Harbor High.
It ended a two-game losing streak for the Sailors (4-2, 1-0) and handed Coach Jeff Brinkley career victory No. 200.
The Griffins (5-1, 0-1) lost despite 208 yards on 33 carries from running back Nick Richardson.
“It was amazing how hard they played,” Brinkley said.
Los Alamitos’ Twin Fernandes scored on a 1-yard dive to give the Griffins a 20-16 lead with 6:24 left.
Newport Harbor took over at its 30 and drove 70 yards in 15 plays.
The Sailors had first-and-goal at the 6, but Rios’ first three passes fell incomplete, including one on third down in which he overthrew Norton in the end zone.
Rios went back to Norton, who made the diving catch in the left side of the end zone with 1:25 to play.
“It was one our of normal comeback routes,” Norton said.
“There’s no doubt it was the biggest catch I’ve made by far. We knew we needed to come back strong after the last two weeks.”
