PHOTOS: Newport evens league mark with win over Fountain Valley

Newport Harbor running back Payton Irving stretches into the end zone for a score Friday night. (Photos courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone).

Perhaps the best part of a league victory is that it allows a team to put aside past failures and to focus on future opportunities.

That was the case Friday night when Newport Harbor, with one win in its six previous outings, put together stellar offensive and defensive performances to dismantle Fountain Valley, 49-0, in a Sunset League game at Huntington Beach High School.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo:

Newport Harbor’s Duke Sterns is pulled down in the end zone on 24-yard pass from AJ Guitron-Moore.

Newport Harbor’s Cameron Denoon bulldozes into end zone after returning a recovered fumble 13 yards. The tackler is Fountain Valley’s Matthew Mena.

Newport Harbor QB AJ Guitron-Moore threw four touchdown passes in the Saliors’ win.

Fountain Valley quarterback Owen Tomko was under constant pressure Friday night.

Newport Harbor’s Tanner Muir returns to the sidelines after recovering a Fountain Valley fumble.

Newport Harbor’s Kashton Henjun tumbles into the end zone after catching a 52-yard pass from AJ Guitron-Moore.

Newport Harbor’s Tony Jackson (15) breaks up an end zone pass intended for Fountain Valley receiver Drew Reyes.

Fountain Valley receiver Drew Reyes works for short yardage on pass play. The defender is Johnny Chaix.

Newport Harbor’s Trace Werner returns an interception.

Newport Harbor’s Robby Crowell (33) knocks the ball loose from Fountain Valley quarterback Owen Tomko. Cameron Denoon (56) recovered the fumble.

Newport Harbor coach Peter Lofthouse addresses his team after a win over Fountain Valley.

The win allows the Sailors to focus on a worthy goal, a CIF playoff berth, in the season’s final three games.

One week at a time was the message preached by Sailor coach Peter Lofthouse after Newport Harbor improved to 2-5 on the season and 1-1 in the Sunset League.

On the one hand it would be a mistake to make too much of the lopsided victory over a struggling Fountain Valley team (1-6, 0-2), but, on the other hand, with the exception of inopportune penalties, the Sailors had highlight moments in all phases of the game.

Offensively, quarterback AJ Guitron-Moore threw four touchdown passes, connecting with Kashton Henjun (52, 40 yards), Duke Starnes (24 yards) and Hayden Farley (5 yards) and backs Payton Irving (3 yards) and Henry Slater (3 yards) rushed for scores.

Defensively, linebacker Robby Crowell forced a fumble and intercepted a pass, Cameron Denoon returned a fumble returning the ball 13 yards for a TD and Trace Werner picked off a pass. 

Even the special team got into the action, with Tanner Muir recovering a fumbled kickoff return.

The Sailors’ next step in their playoff drive is Friday night, when they host Huntington Beach at 7. Fountain Valley’s next challenge is league favorite Los Alamitos Thursday night at Huntington Beach High School.

For earlier story and photo, please click here.

—Courtesy Jim McCormack for OC Sports Zone.