Sailors battle Vaqueros

Newport Harbor football pre vs. IrvineIrvine and Newport Harbor meet for final time as Sea View rivals tonight.Since Irvine High entered the Sea View League in 1992, the football rivalry between the Vaqueros and Newport Harbor has included three CIF Southern Section championship games and at least three times as many classic confrontations.

But with Newport Harbor bound for the Sunset League next fall, the two programs’ league affiliation will come to a close with tonight’s matchup at Newport Harbor.

The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

If this year’s league standings are any indication, this one seems to be more of a classic mismatch than a classic.

Newport Harbor (5-3, 2-1 in league), ranked No. 10 in CIF Southern Section Division VI, is still battling for at least a share of the league crown. The Tars were knocked out of a first-place tie when Aliso Niguel defeated them, 24-21, Friday.

Irvine, after its 32-30 loss to intracity rival Woodbridge Friday, is 3-5, 0-3 and in sole possession of last place with two games remaining.

Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley, who is 7-9 against Irvine Coach Terry Henigan, is expecting anything but a one-sided affair.

“Terry will coach them up,” Brinkley said of the Vaqueros, who have lost seven straight league games. “We’ve always respected the great job he does with those guys. Hopefully, we can go out and play well.”

A victory would put Newport Harbor in position to play for at least a share of the league title Nov. 10 against Laguna Hills at Mission Viejo High.

Laguna Hills enters Friday’s game against Woodbridge unbeaten and alone atop the league standings. But if the Sailors can win their final two regular-season games, they would be assured of no less than a share of their second straight league championship.

“Our backs are against he wall now,” Brinkley said. “We can’t take another hit.”

Newport Harbor’s offense will contend with Irvine’s now-trademark 46 defense. It’s a scheme, Brinkley said, that is always difficult to prepare for.

The Sailors will try to find running room for senior tailback Ryan Rippon and senior fullback Jack Tracy.

Rippon, who missed the first four games with a knee injury, has averaged nearly 121 rushing yards per game since his return.

Tracy, who filled in at tailback for Rippon early, has 632 rushing yards on 71 carries with four touchdowns.

Newport Harbor senior quarterback Tom Jackson has thrown for 820 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has completed 69 of 141 passes with five interceptions.

The Sailors’ leading receivers are junior Jarrett Daniel (22 catches for 323 yards and seven touchdowns) and senior James Coder (21 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns).

Irvine is paced, offensively, by junior running back Chris Sykes.

NEWPORT HARBOR STARTERS