Finding finite rewards

BARRY FAULKNER

If super-slow-motion replay were available to review Newport Harbor

High’s come-from-behind Sea View League football victory over Laguna

Hills Friday night, Sailors senior Brian Campos might serve as his

own visual aid.

Twice while attempting to punt, the 5-foot-8, 182 pounder was

upended by Hawk rushers, both times drawing roughing-the-kicker

penalties. The second flag, thrown in Newport’s own end zone,

extended what proved to be the game-winning, 99-yard touchdown drive.

The fourth-quarter drama helped the Tars (6-3) end a three-game

losing streak and enhance their chances of obtaining an at-large bid

into the CIF Southern Section Division VI playoffs.

On both plays, Campos was temporarily suspended in mid-air, the

vertical No. 8 on his jersey tipped sideways, mirroring the symbol

for infinity. In Campos’ case, however, infinite possibilities may be

more accurate, considering how he has capitalized on a senior season

that, not so long ago, was as difficult to define as a sideways

eight.

“Brian played well as a freshman and was a very good athlete for

us,” Brinkley recalled of the youth football veteran who, despite his

kicking and punting prowess, always considered himself a player who

kicked, rather than a kicker who played. “But he probably wasn’t as

highly motivated the following two years in the program. I knew he

was a little discouraged and it wouldn’t have surprised me if, one

day last off-season, he came in to say he wasn’t going to be playing

[this season].”

Campos admittedly pondered as much, going so far as to run the

idea by his closest friends. Inspired by their insistence that he

would be sorely missed this fall, he instead came to Brinkley with a

different notion.

“I knew [Brinkley] was a little upset by my performance and my

attitude my junior year,” Campos said. “I went in and told him I was

ready to put everything I had into the program my senior year.”

Brinkley said Campos’ declaration was welcome news.

“More typically, I’ll bring a player in and try to explain to them

the kind of potential they’ve got and what they need to do to realize

that potential,” Brinkley said. “But Brian came in voluntarily one

day. I think he understood I wasn’t pleased with his focus.”

Brinkley noticed a change immediately in Campos, whose new

attitude shone through during spring and summer workouts. Campos

opened the fall as a starting cornerback, in addition to his kicking

chores.

And though Campos was briefly replaced in the secondary, an injury

gave him another opportunity to start and he has taken full

advantage.

“I couldn’t ask for more than we’ve gotten out of him,” Brinkley

said. “He has been 100% on field goals [4 for 4] and his punting [31

kicks for a 39.5-yard average] speaks for itself. He has done a great

job for us and, now, has taken on the role of defensive back.”

Campos’ 59-yard punt on Newport’s first second-half possession

Friday, pinned the Hawks at their own 13, setting the stage for a

subsequent safety that helped turn the tide. Newport drove for a

touchdown after the ensuing free kick, cutting its deficit to 14-12,

which it later overcame for the 18-14 win.

Brinkley said Campos’ punt was a huge key to the comeback and

Campos said he was gratified to have such a big hand, er foot, in the

victory.

Campos is, he said, extremely thankful he did not give up on

football. He also believes the rewards that have come throughout his

senior season have justified his choice to remain in the program.

“It’s just a whole different experience that I can’t really

describe,” Campos said. “To hear your name on the [public-address

system] for something glorious you just did -- it’s hard to explain

how much adrenaline and how much positive energy comes over you. It’s

overwhelming.”

Perhaps infinitely so.