Battle of the Bay: Newport Harbor Fights to Keep The Bell in Victory Against Corona del Mar (2024)

Newport Beach – Davidson Field

The Newport Harbor football team won the annual Battle of the Bay game for the second consecutive year, knocking off Corona del Mar 21-14 on a Thursday night game at Davidson Field.

In knocking off their rival and winning their third straight game, the Sailors also moved to 2-0 in Bravo League play. Both teams had junior quarterbacks starting with Jake Meer making his third start for the Sailors while Brady Annett made his first start for the Sea Kings.

The scoring didn’t occur until toward the end of the second quarter where Annett scampered in for a four-yard rushing touchdown to put Corona del Mar up 7-0. Newport Harbor in the first half had two promising drives in the first half in Sea King territory, but both resulted in punts.

The Sailors’ opening drive to start the second half was short-lived, as Meer’s pass was deflected and intercepted. But three plays later, Annett was picked off by Cade Fegel, who returned it all the way to the Sea Kings’ 11-yard line

Newport Harbor eventually made the Sea Kings pay as Meer ran it in for a 16-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. After a big kickoff return from Tucker Murray, Annett eventually punched it in on a one-yard score to put the Sea Kings back up 14-7.

Corona del Mar’s next drive chewed up almost six of the last 10 minutes in regulation, as it got down to the Newport Harbor 21. But a holding penalty, Annett getting sacked for a loss of 10 yards and an interception for Sammy Stremick ended that threat and gave the ball back to Newport Harbor where they could possibly win. 

The Sailors used methodical plays on their drive to chew up as much clock as possible and more importantly, get the Sea Kings to use their time outs. Eventually, Glenn Baronoski (starting middle linebacker, brought in for specialty runs) ran it in for a touchdown from two yards out to give Newport Harbor the lead with 30 seconds left.

Corona del Mar had one last chance to try and score, but their final pass was well short and intercepted by Ethan Ambat, as the Newport Harbor students stormed the field knowing that the mariner’s telegraph, aka The Bell, will be staying on 600 Irvine Ave.

Sea Kings head coach Kevin Hettig said that his team lost wide receiver Dorsett Stecker to an injury in the second quarter. Stecker finished with two yards on one reception.

Newport Harbor (3-4, 2-0) is back in action on Friday when they play at San Juan Hills at 7 p.m. Corona del Mar (3-4, 0-2) returns to action Friday when they host Villa Park at Davidson Field.