Two-minute drill

* The bond that exists between Back Bay rivals from Corona del Mar

High and Newport Harbor, many of whom have played together on youth

teams before high school, was apparent throughout the 43rd edition of

the Battle of the Bay Thursday night.

As the captains met at midfield for the pregame coin toss, CdM

senior Tom Welch and Newport Harbor senior Trevor Theriot greeted one

another with a hug.

Later, when Theriot left the field on a motorized cart after being

tended to for several moments with a dislocated elbow, Welch, his

twin brother Kevin, as well as Sea Kings Wess Presson and David Del

Fante, were among those who made sure to pay their respects with

varying displays of affection.

As time wound down and Newport Harbor players began celebrating

their come-from-behind 21-17 win, Sailor senior receiver Spencer

Link, who scored the final two TDs to ensure the victory, walked

directly into a pack of CdM defenders to both console and

congratulate the Sea Kings on their supreme effort.

* Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley said Sailors receivers coach

Bill Calloway predicted a big game from Link.

“Calloway said Link would score two touchdowns,” Brinkley said.

Link scored on a 63-yard punt return and caught the game-winning,

47-yard touchdown pass from Kasey Peters with 1:07 left.

* Thursday was not the first time Link has burned the Sea Kings

with a big game. The 2003 Newport-Mesa Player of the Year, who had

not played in the Sailors’ first two games this fall, had touchdown

receptions of 43 and 58 yards last season to help the Tars rally from

a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to claim a 29-14 victory. Link had five

catches for 145 yards in the 2003 game.

Link caught two passes for 24 yards and had one carry for 20 more

as a sophomore in the Tars’ 17-0 win over CdM.

As a freshman, the then-tailback carried 12 times for 166 yards

and three TDs in a 33-14 Newport win in the freshman game. He also

caught two passes for 13 yards that afternoon.

* Newport Harbor players were also moved by the injury to Theriot,

which occurred with 6:50 left in the third quarter.

Several players dedicated the victory to their fallen co-captain,

who may be back as soon as Thursday against Dana Hills.

“[Theriot] is the heart and soul of this team,” Newport senior

middle linebacker Thomas Martin said.

* The Sailors have defeated CdM six straight years and won 10 of

the last 11 Battle of the Bay clashes. In those last 11 games,

Newport has outscored the Sea Kings, 323-113.

* Thursday’s four-point margin was the closest Battle of the Bay

contest since a 7-3 Newport win in 1995.

* The Newport Harbor scouting report stated one goal on special

teams: to score or set up a score.

Tom Jackson returned the second-half kickoff 62 yards to set up a

touchdown and Spencer Link scored on the aforementioned

fourth-quarter punt return.

* Sage Hill senior kicker Amy Werblin came up short on a 53-yard

field-goal attempt on the last play of the first half in the

Lightning’s 40-7 win over visiting Twin Pines Friday.

Sage Coach Tom Monarch said Werblin has converted from around 50

yards in practice. He said one of his goals is to allow Werblin to

kick a 50-yarder in a game this season.

* Banning-based Twin Pines is a school for juveniles on probation,

Monarch said.

The Bobcats played with heart and class and, afterward, marched

off the field in formation to a military cadence delivered by a team

captain.

The scene was applauded by remaining Sage Hill fans.

* As part of the postgame address, a Sage Hill assistant coach

encouraged his players to express their love for their parents when

they returned home Friday night.

“A lot of kids from [Twin Pines] aren’t lucky enough to have

parents who support them,” the coach said.

* Costa Mesa High, 0-4 after a stunning 10-9 setback against

Laguna Beach Saturday, has now lost six straight games, its longest

losing streak since dropping 11 in a row in 1988-89.

* CdM’s Kevin Welch drew a personal foul and was ejected in the

third quarter. CIF Southern Section rules stipulate a player or coach

ejected from a game is required to sit out the following game, as

well. CdM plays Valencia (3-0) Saturday.

* The Mustangs were held to a season-low seven first downs, the

fewest they have produced since they had six against Northwood in

2001, a span of 30 games.

* Costa Mesa had 14 penalties for 129 yards, including six

personal fouls. In its first three games, Mesa was penalized 24 times

for 146 yards.

* Before the game, first-year Laguna Beach Coach Jimmy Nolan said

he just wanted his team to “hang tough” against Costa Mesa.

Afterward, he was jumping with excitement over the victory,

especially considering he had six starters out with injuries.

* Corona del Mar players crossed over the 50-yard line into

Newport Harbor territory during pregame warmups, forcing Sea King

coaches apologize to Brinkley and the Sailors.

* Brinkley said wide receiver/linebacker Taylor Young, a senior

who was not in uniform against CdM, is week-to-week with an injured

ankle.

* Sage Hill junior Morgan Brief, a 5-foot-4, 170-pounder who, despite his diminutive size, shines as a starter at defensive tackle

and offensive guard, carried once for 2 yards on a dive play to open

the fourth quarter against Twin Pines.

* Laguna Beach’s win was only the second over Mesa in their last

15 meetings. Costa Mesa leads the series, 17-7.

* The 19 total points were the fewest for a Laguna Beach-Costa

Mesa game since the Breakers beat Mesa, 10-7, in 1987.

* Following games where the fourth- and fifth-string cornerbacks

had to play due to injuries, Costa Mesa Coach Tom Baldwin said before

Saturday’s game said, “This is the healthiest we’ve been all year.

Everybody is suited up.”

* The Newport Harbor ASB allowed fans to borrow foam fingers and

pom-poms before the Corona del Mar game, a tradition for every Battle

of the Bay.

Andriana Mares and Natasha Kosecki, juniors on the activities

committee, handed out the spirit paraphernalia before the game and

tried to retrieve same after the game.

* Brinkley is 13-7 against CdM, including six straight wins since

1999.

CdM Coach Dick Freeman is 1-9 against the Sailors.

* The 38 total points in the Battle of the Bay marks the 13th time

the two teams have combined for more than 30.