DAILY PILOT HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:Vickery’s low profile fits Newport just fine

Unless you are an opposing defensive end or linebacker, or, perhaps, a charging ballcarrier, Newport Harbor High senior Charles Vickery does not jump out at you.

Though he starts on both sides of the ball for the undefeated Sailors’ football team, the 5-foot-10, 214-pound fullback and noseguard is as low profile as his three-point stance.

So, the first day back to school Monday after scoring his first varsity touchdown — a one-yard surge over left tackle in a 27-0 nonleague win at Irvine High Friday — there was no special recognition from his classmates.

And Vickery wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Last year [when the Sailors won the CIF Southern Section Division VI crown], I was mainly a special teams player,” Vickery said. “I was lucky to back up two great players who taught me what I’m doing now. Now, I’m lucky to be playing both ways.”

Those who watch Vickery compete, in practice as well as games, might suggest he plays only one way: All out.

“He’s one of our team leaders and he works really hard in all forms of conditioning,” Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said. “He gives full effort on every rep, both on the field and in the weight room.”

Vickery said the Sailors’ proven Olympic lifts weight training regimen, which regularly molds spindly freshmen into explosively powerful seniors, quickly garnered his complete athletic attention.

“I wrestled my freshman year, but that made it a lot harder to gain weight,” said the Daily Pilot Player of the Week. “And, I wanted to dedicate all my time to football.”

Vickery grew up playing football, excelling at linebacker and offensive guard for seven seasons in the Newport-Mesa Junior All-American program.

“I played line on offense, because I was always one of the bigger guys on the team,” he said. “But I was 5-9 for a long time.”

As others surpassed him in height, Vickery clung to his toughness, quickness and emerging strength.

“He’s stocky and he moves pretty well inside,” Brinkley said. “With the kind of strength he has and as well as he can run, he creates problems [for opposing blockers].”

When it comes to role reversal, Vickery is a fearsome blocker in the mold of many former Sailor fullbacks.

“He does a great job blocking, and it’s a thankless job,” Brinkley said.

Vickery said he would be content to simply pave the way for the tailback as a lead blocker.

But Brinkley said Vickery’s talents allow him a more diverse role in the offense.

“He broke a long run the other night [a 33-yard burst that keyed the Tars’ final touchdown drive in the fourth quarter],” Brinkley said. “He’s running the ball well and he has worked hard to improve as a receiver.”

Vickery finished with 35 yards on four carries, including the aforementioned TD Friday. He caught two passes for nine yards.

On defense, Vickery helped the Tars get their second straight shutout. They allowed just 109 yards of offense Friday and is yielding just 98 yards per game.

“We have some awesome players,” Vickery said. “We all do our job and we trust each other.”

The Sailors can trust that Vickery will continue to relish his role, whether or not those in the stands notice or not.

“I just love playing football and I love doing what I do,” Vickery said.

CHARLES VICKERY

Born: Dec. 26, 1988

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 5-10

Weight: 214

Postions: Fullback-noseguard

Coach: Jeff Brinkley

Favorite food: Steak

Favorite movie: “Any Given Sunday “

Favorite athletic moment: “Probably winning the [CIF Southern Section Division VI football] championship last year.

Week in review: He sparkled on defense at noseguard to help preserve shutout win over Irvine. He also rushed for 35 yards and one TD on four carries, caught two passes for nine yards and blocked well on offense.