Prep football: Tars’ first cut is the deepest

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - The buzz that typically surrounds the first day of

prep football practice takes on a more literal meaning at Newport Harbor

High, where the Sailor players reported Monday with old-school buzz

haircuts as symbolic as they are short.

“They did it before I got here and we’ve done it ever since,” said

Sailors Coach Jeff Brinkley, who along with his staff, put the players

through the paces in helmets, T-shirts and shorts, on the first of three

conditioning days that precede the addition of full pads Thursday.

Brinkley, preparing for his 16th season opener at Harbor -- Sept. 6

against Orange Lutheran, which kicked off its season with a 28-6 victory

at Hawaii Preparatory Academy Saturday -- said there is more to this buzz

cut ritual than “shear” tradition.

“It fits what I believe in,” said Brinkley, the only one of four

Newport-Mesa District football coaches who mandates such a closely

cropped coiffeur. “I think it’s healthier and it allows the helmet to fit

better. But it also symbolizes a commitment to the program. If a player

is willing to go as far as cutting his hair like that, he’s committed to

playing football and there’s a better chance you won’t be having to hunt

him down in a few days to try to get his gear back. And, it makes

everyone the same, which is always a good thing for a team.”

Consistency, which extends well beyond hair style, has become a staple

at Newport, which has also made habit of postseason success. The Tars

advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division VI title game last fall,

where they fell to Sea View League rival Irvine, 14-0. It was fifth time

in the last nine seasons Harbor has played for a section title, including

conquests in 1994 and ’99.

Brinkley employs similar consistency with his practice routine, which

includes meetings before separate daily practices for offense, defense

and special teams. This regimen, including breaks for meals, conditioning

and weightlifting, keeps his players occupied, and on campus, from

roughly 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until school starts.

“I think we get into a pretty good rhythm in the spring and we try to

pick up from there,” Brinkley said Monday afternoon. “We had a good

conditioning period this morning and practice has gone well.”

Brinkley said particular attention is paid to special teams this time

of year.

“We work a good, intense hour and a half on special teams and really

go over specific techniques,” Brinkley said. “We like to build a good

foundation now, so we only have to fine tune the rest of the season.”

There are plenty of decorated returners to help insure things go well

this season for the Sailors, including senior blue chip All-CIF offensive

tackle Robert Chai.

Quarterback Morgan Craig, receiver-cornerback Brian Gaeta two-way

lineman Bryan Breland, All-Newport-Mesa District performers as juniors,

are also back, as is senior Joe Foley, expected to be a two-way standout

this fall.

In addition to solidifying a defense that returns only one starter

(Gaeta), Brinkley is anxious to see how the competition at tailback

unfolds.

Junior Dede Johnson, junior transfer Rhett Hartsfield, as well as

sophomore Matt Encinias, are expected to battle for the starting void

left by the departure of Newport-Mesa MVP Chris Manderino, now at UC

Berkeley.

The Sailors’ preseason preparation includes a scrimmage against

Mission Viejo, scheduled Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. at Newport Harbor’s stadium.