Sailors’ triumph provides bench mark

monday morning qbs storyNewport Harbor empties bench in lopsided win, while Sage Hill uses blowout triumph to let a senior star shine bright. You can’t tell the players, as the saying goes, without a program. But, sometimes, even that doesn’t help.

Such was the case in the Newport Harbor High football team’s 41-14 Sea View League victory over visiting Woodbridge Friday night, when the Sailors, for the first time this season, emptied the bench.

Newport (4-2, 1-0 in league), ranked No. 10 in CIF Southern Section Division VI, which typically does not allow some junior varsity players to dress for the varsity games, had a chance to get all of its reserves some well-deserved playing time.

After taking a 27-0 lead early in the third quarter, Sailors Coach Jeff Brinkley began shuttling in the backups.

One such performer was Riley Parker, who could not be found on the varsity roster in Newport Harbor’s program. Parker, however, found his way to the end zone, scoring on a 61-yard run with 9:00 left in the game. He finished with 70 yards on five carries.

“[The win] was especially nice, considering we got to play everybody,” said Brinkley, whose team ended a rare two-game losing streak and opened defense of its Sea View League title in convincing fashion. “It’s a good feeling to get all those guys some action, because they all work hard at practice.”

The Sailors “practiced” on the Warriors (0-6, 0-1), in preparation for Friday’s clash with visiting Foothill. The Knights (4-2, 1-0) are tied with the Sailors and Laguna Hills atop the Sea View standings after the first week of league play.

Another development for the Sailors is the emergence of Delano McKenzie at defensive tackle. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior saw significant action in the overtime loss to Mira Costa Oct. 7. He started against Woodbridge and sparkled, Brinkley said.

With McKenzie in the fold, Jason Uhl is playing noseguard, while senior Mike Calabrese, formerly a tackle, has shifted to starting end.

Jayme Ohlhaver and Scott Andrews now rotate at the other end spot, Brinkley said.

Here’s a look around the rest of the Newport-Mesa football scene.

* SAGE HILL: Senior tailback Keya Manshadi had a game to remember in the Lightning’s 55-14 nonleague romp over host Silver Valley Friday night in Yermo, near Barstow.

Manshadi totaled 313 all-purpose yards and scored a career-high and single-game school record seven touchdowns, accounting for 42 points in helping Sage improve to 6-0.

Once Manshadi started strongly, Monarch said he decided to help the running back out, in terms of posting a memorable game during his last high school season.

And with junior fullback Don Ayres sidelined on offense due to a minor knee injury, Manshadi handled the bulk of the load.

“Our staff is not into trying to produce records,” Monarch said. “But the way the game was dictating itself, and with Don out and Keya being a senior, I felt obligated to highlight him a little for his efforts over the past four years.

“When I say highlight, though, it’s really saying we’re giving himself the chance to highlight himself. We’re not the one’s busting our butt making it happen.”

Manshadi rushed for 181 yards and four TDs on seven carries; hauled in three catches for 107 yards and two scores; and picked off a pass in the first quarter and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.

“Basically, he was flying off the ball; that was the advantage,” Monarch said after reviewing game video. “They were a slower team and they couldn’t keep up with his quickness. We threw deep to him, ran screens, powers, sweeps, fades -- we put him all over the field.”

Silver Valley fell to 0-6.

Sage has a bye this week before playing host to Brethren Christian (4-2) Oct. 28 in its first Academy League contest.

* CORONA DEL MAR: The Sea Kings (3-4, 1-2), who fell, 32-10, at Pacific Coast League host Tesoro Friday, continue to shuffle personnel.

Senior Matt Burgner was shifted from fullback to guard against the Titans (5-1, 2-0), trading his familiar jersey No. 45 for No. 52.

CdM Coach Dick Freeman said Burgner, an All-CIF returner at defensive end who is the school’s all-time leader in career sacks, played well at guard. But he left the game midway through the third quarter with a pinched nerve in his neck and did not return.

Dio Johnson, a 6-4, 230-pound junior running back who had not carried the ball the first six games, led the Sea Kings with 49 yards on nine carries Friday.

Freeman said Johnson, who is still dealing with a knee injury that sidelined him early in the season, will continue to get opportunities.

Freeman was also encouraged by the passing of senior starting quarterback Colin Wigley. Wigley completed 5 of 7 for 52 yards, but missed some time after being shaken up during a second-quarter sack. Wigley did return to the game, virtually splitting time with senior Shaun Mohler.

Freeman also praised the play of junior outside linebacker Ford Noe against Tesoro.

The Sea Kings continue league play Thursday, when they play host to Laguna Beach (3-2-1, 0-2) at Newport Harbor High.

* ESTANCIA: The Eagles built leads of 7-0, 13-6, and 19-13 against nonleague visitor Garden Grove Thursday at Newport Harbor High.

And while the Argonauts (5-1) rallied for a 40-19 victory, Eagles Coach Brian Barnes said his team (1-5) continues to show progress.

“We still make a lot of mistakes, but the big thing is, we’ve improved every week and we’re getting better,” Barnes said. “I wish we could start the season over, because I think we’re a completely different team, now.

“But, it’s exciting to see what we’ve built. The guys that caught our three touchdown passes [two by Matt Redding and another by Edgar Vargas] are both juniors.”

Barnes, while appreciative of the contributions made by standout seniors such as Ryan Watson, Nelson Leon, Ezequiel Villalvazo, Clayton Mills and Miguel Cotero, is also encouraged by the play of several juniors and sophomores.

That positive feeling has been enhanced by the junior varsity team’s 3-0 record this fall, Barnes said.

The Eagles (1-1 in the Golden West League) will get a chance to show that Friday when they visit Ocean View (1-4-1, 0-2) for a league clash.

* COSTA MESA: A forgettable season may have reached its low point Saturday for the Mustangs in a 55-0 Golden West League loss to Santa Ana at the Santa Ana Bowl.

Coach Jay Johnson’s squad (0-6, 0-3) managed a season-low 31 yards of offense, as it struggled to replace injured offensive tackles Juan Diaz (knee) and Ryan Segovia (pulled muscle).

In addition, Rudy Hernandez, a starter on the defensive line and a backup offensive lineman, was unavailable due to a family commitment.

Adding to the Mustangs’ woes, Johnson said senior outside linebacker Dennis Franco sustained a concussion against the Saints (4-2, 3-0) and is likely out at least another week.

Johnson said Diaz might return this week, though Segovia’ status is uncertain. Hernandez is also expected to be back.

Costa Mesa plays host to Saddleback (2-1,1-2) Friday at Orange Coast College in another league contest.

-- Chris Yemma contributed to this report