Big Third Quarter Gives Newport Harbor Upset of Kennedy

NEWPORT BEACH —  Newport Harbor scored three touchdowns in a little more than six minutes in the third quarter to rally the Sailors from a 14-point deficit to a 38-28 victory over Kennedy in a Southern Section Division V second-round playoff game Friday at Newport Harbor.

The Sailors (10-2) were sparked by two touchdown receptions by wide receiver Oscar Garcia and one by running back Brett Baker, giving Newport Harbor a 35-28 lead.

“[Our coach] told us if you guys want this to be your last game, so be it,” Baker said. “ ‘You have got to lay it on the line. You can’t have any regrets.’ We came out with third-quarter momentum.”

Kennedy (8-4) opened the second half with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Gabriel Roman to Andre Banks to take a 28-14 lead with 9:31 left.

Newport Harbor began its comeback with 6:43 left in the third when junior quarterback Steve Gorman led his team on an eight-play, 72-yard drive culminating with a three-yard touchdown reception by Garcia, who had a 44-yard reception earlier in the drive.

After forcing Kennedy to punt, the Sailors took the ball 80 yards in seven plays, capped by Garcia’s 33-yard touchdown reception on first and 20.

Garcia finished the game with seven catches for 87 yards. Gorman completed 15 of 23 passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns.

Baker put the game away with a 43-yard touchdown reception with 17 seconds left after Kennedy wide receiver Ryan Roberson fumbled on his first carry of the night, giving Newport Harbor the ball on Kennedy’s 25-yard line. The Sailors scored despite three consecutive penalties that moved the ball back to the 46.

Baker, who finished with 202 yards in 31 carries and two touchdowns, also caught four passes for 60 yards and one touchdown. Baker capped his night with his first field goal of the season, a 31-yarder.

Kennedy, which fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter, scored three consecutive touchdowns to take a 20-14 halftime lead.

Roman connected with wide receiver Matt Alferes on a five-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7-7 with 5:17 left in the first. Wide receiver Aaron Lewis followed that with a tightrope walk down the sideline, scoring on a 78-yard touchdown pass.