Newport Harbor, looking to change course, gets a lift from opening week victory

Newport Harbor Coach Peter Lofthouse talks to his team after Friday’s victory. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

Newport Harbor’s football team has an ultimate goal of reaching the CIF Division 9 playoffs.

A zero week 26-10 victory over Woodbridge Friday night at University helped the Sailors’ spirits and Coach Peter Lofthouse, who described it as “a great victory for our young men,” hopes it will set the tone for the season.

Newport Harbor’s defense forced four turnovers by Woodbridge. The Sailors are looking for improvement after finishing 3-6-1 overall last year and 0-5 in the rugged Sunset League.

This season, they have some talented players returning giving Lofthouse reason for optimism.

A number of them stood out against Woodbridge, the defending Pacific Coast League champion.

“We’re pretty fortunate that we have two returning All-Sunset League players Johnny Brigandi (senior linebacker) and Chad Koste (senior linebacker),” Lofthouse said. “They both made plays all night.

“Brendon Duffy is a really good linebacker. Kaden Stowell (junior defensive back) made the big interception at the end of the game. Michael Morrison was flying around. Austin Muro was doing double duty. You saw him make some nice plays at receiver and he’s playing a really strong corner spot.

“We’re very confident right now with our defense and where they’re at. Our defensive staff really came out and schemed them up well.”

The offense also did well. Running back Justin McCoy rushed for 65 yards and Muro had five catches for 61 yards.

The quarterback was junior Cole Lavin, who passed for 193 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for one score.

Lavin was in the mix for the starting job last year.

“He’s a local kid from our district, last year we went through a QB carousel last year trying to figure out who was the guy,” Lofthouse said. “We always knew that he was the quarterback of the future. He’s athletic, he’s got a strong arm but he was young, he was a sophomore.”

Lavin threw two interceptions early, but finished strong. Lofthouse is excited about his future and expects a big year from him and said he’s worked hard over the off-season.

“He was stellar, a lot of people don’t realize how many reads are within our offense,” Lofthouse said. “He played well down the end.”

Lavin is excited about the season too.

“I started in week four through nine but got hurt in week nine,” said Lavin, who had a broken collarbone. He said he’s healthy now.

Lavin said he believes the prospects are solid for the Sailors this year.

“No playoffs, losing record, it’s not ideal, but we know we’re going to do better this year,” he said.

Newport Harbor is on the road Friday and will meet Aptos of Santa Cruz Friday night. Students are still on summer break in the Newport district and don’t return until after Labor Day, so the team made a week-long trip to Northern California.

RELATED: Photos, game story from Newport-Woodbridge game

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com