JSerra Takes the Victory in Solid Matchup Against Defending CIF-Champs Newport Harbor (2022)

San Juan Capistrano – JSerra Catholic HS Stadium

In what was by far the most entertaining game of the year, the Sailors (2-1) took their first loss of the season falling to Trinity League team JSerra (2-1) 21-28.

Newport Harbor could not find any levers in the first have. Credit to the Lions offense who started with the ball and had a 10+ play opening drive (aided by a 4th and 10 pass interference call on the Sailors 30 yard line) to finally punch it into the end zone with a nice 2-yard fade from quarterback junior QB Zander Singh to sophomore WR Logan Christensen.

The Sailors offensive only took six snaps in the first quarter and finished with negative yards . The first series (down 0-7) was a quick three-and-out which included a muffed snap and and illegal procedure. The second offensive series in Q1 was just as painful; another quick three-and-out plagued with a 15-yard personal foul.

At halftime, Newport was down 0-21.

Enter the comeback attempt.

“It’s all about the boys. They play with a great attitude, they always give us a great effort, it’s just about them and their belief,” Newport Harbor offensive coordinator John Arredondo said.

The Sailors received the kickoff to start the second half and was starting to move the ball for the first time of the evening, giving the visiting fans something to cheer about. But the drive was cut short with a fumble on the Lion’s 30.

The defense decided to take control of the game, however, when senior CB Billy Ridley picked off a Singh pass for a pick-six making the score a more manageable 7-21, still early in the 3rd quarter.

Following the defensive touchdown, junior punter/kicker Noe Avalos recovered his own onside kick. Sailors ball. But the drive ended in another punt (Sailors punted six times Friday night).

Noe Avalos’ good punt pinned JSerra inside the 10 yard line to start the next series. One the first play of its drive, JSerra fumbled the ball as junior LB Jacob Carlon forced the fumble and senior DL Trey Regitz recovered it in the endzone for the Sailors second defensive touchdown.

With the score now 14-21 there was a “feeling of last year’s 2021 CIF Championship game” where the Sailor erased two 21-point deficits.

“Defense-wise, they really stepped it up, they set the tone for us. Even when the offense was down, they were just driving us and making us try to be better as well,” senior center Josiah Molina said.

Then fans really got their $10 worth late in the 3rd quarter when Newport got down to the Lion’s goal line. senior QB Colton Joseph rolled left and hit junior WR Josiah Larmaque with a 4th down 20-yard pass. Earlier the drive was sparked by an electric broken play by senior QB Colton Joseph who avoid two tackles in the backfield and ran off a 37-yard scramble.

The 3rd quarter came to an end, with all momentum shifted to Newport.

The fourth quarter started with third and goal from the Lions’ one. Joseph, who used his legs all night under enormous pressure, kept the ball himself and scored the touchdown on the ground, tying the game at 21-21 following the extra point.

Knowing that it couldn’t afford another blown 21-point like last week against Chaminade, JSerra utilized the ground game to their advantage, as they had back-to-back 20 or more-yard carries. Eventually, Singh found Pierce Tahgal to retake the lead at 28-21.

The Sailors had two chances to try and score to tie the game but fell short on each drive. After the defense forced the Lions to punt, Newport Harbor had one more chance to get a touchdown, but unfortunately turned it over on downs.

“I don’t know if there’s a word better than proud to talk about the way we feel about these guys. To take on a challenge like this, [JSerra’s] a great program, they’re never not prepared and those guys do a heck of a job over there,” Arredondo said.

The Sailors (2-1) are back for its 4th straight road game next week when they visit Capistrano Valley on Friday night at 7 p.m. Check the website for streaming information.