Bravehearts

Barry Faulkner

The best option attacks mirror free enterprise, with plenty of

choices available for the participants. Thanks to an active, able and

aggressive Newport Harbor High defensive line, however, Marina’s veer

option offense operated under a monopoly Friday night. And it was the

Sailors’ front four restraining most of the trade, conspicuously

consuming Viking running backs, as well as quarterback Matt Brennan.

Brennan was sacked five times, with ends Mac Posey, Shahan

Mouradyan, noseguard Austin Nieto and tackle Chase Brawner all having

a hand in at least one sack.

Nieto was in on three sacks, including one solo collar, while

Posey had a solo job and was in on a second.

Mouradyan and Brawner combined for another sack to help limit the

Vikings to just 75 yards on the ground in 28 attempts.

While Nieto and Brawner plugged up the dive hole, Posey and

Mouradyan were nearly flawless with their option assignments, which

shifted with the scheme to cover the quarterback, crash on the dive

back, or simply try to string the play out, forcing the quarterback

to either duck and cover or pitch to a back being shadowed by a

linebacker or defensive back.

“Everyone has a job to do on the option,” Posey said, following

the Sailors’ 23-14 nonleague home victory.

Mouradyan and Posey also combined to produce a key turnover, as

Mouradyan blew up a dive exchange, popping the ball loose and Posey

recovered at the Vikings’ 41-yard line on the second play of the

third quarter.

The fumble resulted in a 25-yard Brian Campos field goal which

brought the Sailors within 14-10.

On the first play after the ensuing kickoff, Nieto sacked Brennan

for a 7-yard loss, then, after a procedure penalty backed the Vikings

up even more, Nieto and outside linebacker Matt Encinias combined to

wrap up Brennan 4 yards behind the line to make it third-and-26.

Marina failed to convert on third down and Spencer Link returned the

resulting punt 57 yards for a touchdown to put the Tars ahead for

good, 16-14, with 5:03 left in the third quarter.

Marina’s subsequent drive bogged down when Posey diagnosed a

screen pass and hauled down the receiver for no gain right after he

caught the short flip. Then, two plays later, Brawner and Mouradyan

combined to stop Brennan for a yard loss on third down.

The sack forced a 35-yard field-goal attempt, which Newport’s

Rhett Hartsfield blocked, and Newport’s offense put together a

15-play, 91-yard touchdown drive to seal the win.

“They got some pressure on the quarterback and did a much better

job of staying in their lanes, both rushing the passer and defending

the option,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said of his front

wall, which, averaging roughly 6-foot, 194 pounds, relies on

quickness and leverage to neutralize bigger opposing blockers.

“They’re not real big, but they move real well and every week

they’re getting better,” Brinkley said.