Newport Harbor features another solid team as the Sailors push to make the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season under coach Jeff Brinkley. They return five starters on offense, including four linemen.
Tackles Max Spruill (6-3, 265) and Mike Jarboe (6-3, 281) lead the group. Spruill is a returning first-team all-league pick, while Jarboe is part of a talented junior class that includes quarterback Michael Bonds (6-2, 170) and running back Cole Kinder (6-1, 190).
Bonds’ father, Tom, and uncle, Jimmy, played quarterback at Hart of Newhall. Bonds replaces standout Cole Norris (Northern Arizona), so look for the Sailors to ease in the first-year starter, especially with Kinder (779 yards last season) and a strong offensive line in place.
Newport Harbor returns five starters on defense. All-league safety Dalton Rosene moves to linebacker, while Jack Rapillo, another all-leaguer, anchors the secondary at corner.
Newport was 5-6 overall and 3-2 in the Sunset League last year.
The Sailors return their share of several all-league players and an exciting talent in Bonds. If the Sailors stay healthy, they’ll be tough in league. Newport Harbor will be playing home games at Orange Coast College and at Estancia High while its stadium is refurbished.
OFFENSE
Senior Jamie McNeil (5-8, 230) will join Bonds and Kinder in the backfield.
The wide receivers will be Rapillo (6-1, 170) and Reed Rutter (5-11, 165), and the tight end will be senior Kobe Benter (6-4, 220).
The tackles will be Spruill and Jarboe, and the guards will be junior Blake Terry (6-1, 265) and senior Arturo Guillen (5-8, 195).
The center will be senior Elliott Frye (6-2, 208).
DEFENSE
The ends will be junior Alex Michaelson (6-1, 190) and Benter. The tackles will be Jarboe and Spruill.
The linebackers will be senior Max Durante (6-1, 209) and juniors Gage Roberson (6-0, 190) and Tom Phillips (5-11, 185).
The cornerbacks will be Rutter and Rapillo. The strong safeties will be senior Dalton Rosen (6-1, 195) and junior Levi Hooper (5-9, 160).
Senior Riley Blake will handle placekicking, and Durante will be the punter.
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
