Pass rush helps Newport Harbor top Fountain Valley
NEWPORT BEACH - A relentless pass rush by Newport Harbor turned the tide early against Fountain Valley in their Sunset League opener Friday night, allowing the Sailors to cruise to an impressive, 33-7 victory over the Barons at Newport Harbor High.
Newport’s Stone Manoa, Steve Michaelsen and Dalton Jensen put intense heat on Fountain Valley junior quarterback Chris d'Entremont, sacking him four times and forcing two interceptions — one returned for a 53-yard touchdown by Marty Taylor on the final play of the first half.
“Our defensive line did a great job,” said 26-year veteran Newport coach Jeff Brinkley. “We moved Stone Manoa from linebacker to the inside with his hand on the ground, and he was able to create some pressure, Steve Michelsen had another big night, as well as Jensen.”
The Sailors (3-3, 1-0) held the Barons (3-3, 0-1) to 1.yard of total offense in the first half and only 132 yards on the evening. Fountain Valley’s first sustained drive culminated in a Luke Togafau's 9-yard TD run with 11:55 left in the game, averting a shutout.
Christian Cavalillo’s 42-yard run set up the Togafau score
“Credit Newport Harbor — they put the pressure on us,” Fountain Valley coach John Shipp said.
“We can play real well up front, and our secondary was covering well,” Brinkley said.
Fountain Valley did not help itself with myriad mistakes. Besides the protection breakdown on the four sacks, there was a shanked punt that led to a short Newport TD drive, then a bounced punt snap in the end zone that resulted Newport’s Jensen tackling punter Derek Huynen for a safety – part of a 19-0 scoring binge by the Sailors in a second quarter that pretty much decided the issue.
“Newport Harbor is a good football team, but we have to play better than that,” Shipp said. “Defensively, we stopped the run pretty well, but offensively, we did not give our team a chance.
“Our defense played pretty well, but the guys on defense are playing on offense, too.”
Fountain Valley star receiver Sean Myers was held to one reception for 12 yards, and fine direction kicking by Newport punter Jake Ambrose and kickoff man Christian Ochoa limited Myers’ normally devastating return game, as well.
Newport quarterback Cole Blower was efficient, completing 8 of 14 for 76 yards and a TD, a 33-yarder to Blake Bell in the third quarter.
Tailback Titus Hasson rushed 21 times for 77 yards and a TD, and fullback Grant Frazier also scored a rushing TD.
Making his season debut late in the game for Newport Harbor was tailback Talalelei Teaupa, who was expected to share the running load with Hasson, but suffered a collarbone injury in preseason. He carried twice for 21 yards against Fountain Valley.
"It's great to have him back," Brinkley said. "He gives us depth at tailback, and in the secondary."
On the other side of the field, Shipp was understandably disappointed with Fountain Valley's performance in the league opener, after a bye week.
"You'd like to think when you have a bye, it will help you, but it obviously did not," Shipp said. "We did not play very well."
Fountain Valley did get junior linebacker/receiver Wyatt Christensen (pelvis) back in uniform after missing two games. The 2010 All-Sunset selection took part in pregame drills, but Shipp held him out of the Sunset opener as a precaution.
