Newport Harbor Makes Most of Miscues

NEWPORT BEACH —  Newport Harbor took advantage of eight Foothill turnovers to defeat the Knights, 27-18, in a Division V second-round game Friday night at Newport Harbor High.

Fourth-seeded Newport Harbor (11-1) scored nine points off two Foothill fumbles to key a 15-point third quarter that broke open a game that was tied 6-6 at halftime.

Newport Harbor’s Josiah Fredriksen scored on a one-yard run four plays after Eric Runfola recovered a fumble by Foothill running back Terrence Newman at the Foothill 38.

On the ensuing possession for the Knights (9-3), Sailor defensive lineman Reed Johns hit Foothill quarterback Tyler Lang and forced a fumble that Newport linebacker Peter Hogan scooped up and ran 15 yards to the Foothill 15. Three plays later, Eddie Johnson kicked a 25-yard field goal for a 15-6 lead with 7 minutes 51 seconds left in the third quarter.

Franklin Haynes returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, but the extra-point kick failed, leaving the score 15-12.

Newport Harbor added a 14-yard touchdown pass from Fredriksen to Brad LaBass with 2:22 left in the third quarter.

Sailor running back Ray Ohrel, who ran for 157 yards, had a two-yard run for a touchdown with 10:46 left in the game.

“This is beautiful,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said about advancing to next Friday’s semifinal game against top-seeded Servite. “Our defense stepped up and played very well.”