Santa Fe Springs, CA.
Week zero (game one) had the Sailors traveling 90-traffic-mintes to Santa Fe Springs to take on the Swordsmen of St. Paul.
Things got off to a good start and Newport Harbor led at halftime 16-10. The 16 points were compliments of a Touchdown from QB Jaden O’Neal (So) to Jordan Anderson (Sr). And three field goals by senior Jon Richardson (Sr).
But it was a tale to two halfs, as an inspired St. Paul team came out from the locker room and took to the ground game.
St. Paul RB Cristian Melendez got his second TD of the game with a 16-yard run early in the third quarter making it 17-16 for the home team. The Sailors fought back but would never retake the lead for the rest of the game.
Midway through the 4th quarter (after a couple of drives and punts from each team) St. Paul fullback Anthony Osorio punched it in from a yard out to give St. Paul a 24-16 with only 5 minutes left.
The Sailors put a nice drive together that was capped with Jaden O’Neil throwing a catch and run to Josiah Lamarque (Sr) bringing the Sailors to within 2 points (24-22) with less than three minutes left in the game. The Sailors obviously had no choice but to go for two point conversion which was stopped by the stingy Swordsman defense.
Newport Harbor did recover an onside kick, but a penalty and some incompletes set up a third and long. DB and two-way player Orlando Zepeda sealed the win for St. Paul with a pick in the end zone.
St. Paul 24, Newport Harbor 22.
Next week is a THU game @home (Davidson Field) vs. Tosoro. VIP Tickets + Beach Towel promotion is worth checking out if you’re able to attend the game.