Newport Harbor Sailors Fall 2021 Football Season Preview
Head Coach: Peter Lofthouse
Peter Lofthouse is entering his fourth season as the Sailors head football coach. Coach Lofthouse brought college-level experience (and supporting staff) to NHHS when he replaced legendary 32-year head coach Jeff Brinkley back in 2018.
Lofthouse was head coach at junior college San Diego Mesa for three years (finishing 9-2 overall his last year while going 3-7 in each of the previous two seasons). A similar trend, Lofthouse was 3-6-1 in his first year, 9-4 in his second year, and in the shortened COVID year finished 3-3.
Fourth years are usually “telling years” for programs so look for the Sailors to be all hands on deck in 2021.
Coaching Staff:
- John Arredondo – Defensive Coordinator
- Frank Albers – Offensive Line and JV HC
- Charles Roberts – Offensive Line
- Adam Cohen – Running Backs
- Ray de Avila – Offensive Coach
- Andre Velazquez – Wide Receivers
- Chad Koste – Linebackers
- Sean Donovan – Defensive Backs
- Grant Frum – Defensive Backs
- Sean White – Defensive Line
- Earnie Sagaio – Defensive Line
- Johnny Brigandi – Linebackers
- Garrett Frum – Kickers/Punters
- Eddie Steele – Strength & Conditioning
- Ryan O’Donnell – Equipment Manager
Key Departures:
- Justin McCoy (RB)
- Spencer O’Bryan (CB)
- Erik Hehl (LB)
- Eriq Hilliard (DL)
- Cade Parks (OL)
- Charlie Durante (CB)
- Chris Jover (DL)
- James Crowell (WR)
- Joe Knipp (WR)
Key Returners:
- Nick Kim Senior (QB)
- Kashton Henjum Junior (WR)
- Carson de Avila Junior (S)
- Josiah Lamarque Sophomore (WR/RB)
- Connor Chenier Senior (LB)
- Nate Peters Senior (OL)
- Grayson Simon Senior (OL)
Under The Radar Players To Watch:
- Zach Zamora Senior (WR)
- Duke Starnes Senior (WR)
- Jacob Carlon Sophomore (LB)
- Johnny Chaix Junior (S)
Can’t Miss Game:
Battle of the Bay 10/22/21 Newport Harbor vs. Corona del Mar (Davidson Field at Newport Harbor High School)
One of the most looked-forward-to events in the Newport/ Mesa community is when the Sailors and Sea Kings kickoff at Davidson Field. Barring COVID restrictions, some 6,000 people will show up to watch the 60th match between these two in an annual can’t-miss game.
10/15/21 Newport Harbor vs. Huntington Beach (Davidson Field at Newport Harbor High School)
The Sailors are 2-1 vs. the Oilers in the Lofthouse era as these two teams have recently fought for that fourth spot in the Sunset League standings. Look for this game to have Sunset League standing and playoff implications
Outlook:
The team returns five all-league performers from a dozen Sailors earning honors last season. In his fourth year at the helm, Sailors Head Coach Peter Lofthouse says his program has developed a level of depth in the roster it hasn’t had before.
“We had a lot of young guys who started for us. We had six to
eight sophomores start in Sunset League level games. Technically, four freshmen played varsity for us and two of them were starters,” Lofthouse points out.
With a mix of veteran leadership and young athleticism, the Sailors are hoping to improve upon their .500 spring campaign but will need to address major holes at the running back position and in their secondary.
