PREP EXTRA: SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Newport Harbor’s Defense Buckles Down, Shuts Out Woodbridge

IRVINE — Newport Harbor’s defense spoiled Woodbridge’s homecoming and its chances for an automatic playoff bid Friday night by shutting out the Warriors, 24-0.

The Sailors (8-0, 3-0) held Woodbridge (5-3, 0-3 in the Sea View League) to 35 yards total offense--one yard rushing. Newport Harbor has held league opponents to 13 points this season.

The Sailors’ defensive linemen pressured Warrior quarterback Casey Harris all night. Jack Hogan, Bill Johns, John Ryan and Grant Lewan combined for four sacks and a loss of 31 yards.

“Our defense played really well tonight,” Sailor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “The kids want to win the league championship and they knew if we won tonight it would put us in the playoffs.”

After Sailor quarterback John Giordani had a pass intercepted on the second play of the game, the Warriors got the ball on Newport Harbor’s 15-yard line. But seven plays later, nd Nathan Bennett missed a 20-yard field goal.

That was the only break Newport Harbor, ranked fourth in the county, needed. On its ensuing possession, senior running back Brian Johnson rushed four times and caught one pass in taking the team 80 yards in five plays. He scored on a 58-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes and 11 seconds remaining in the first for a 7-0 lead.

Johnson finished the game with 14 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

The Warriors failed to get a first down the rest of the half.

Newport Harbor defensive back Scott Sandstrom blocked Jason Chapple’s punt at the end of the first quarter and halfback Edon Kagasoff gave the Sailors a 14-0 lead on a two-yard run with 10:26 left in the half.

The Sailors scored their final touchdown on Johnson’s 10-yard run with 5:35 remaining in the half. Kicker Jeff Pardy added a 36-yard field goal in the third for the final score.