Newport Harbor Loses on Last Second Field Goal from Cajon, Score 38-35 (2025)

Newport Beach – Davidson Field (NHHS)

The Newport Harbor football team dropped a close contest off a walkoff field goal from Owen Morris, as Cajon won 38-35 on Thursday at Davidson Field.

After the Cowboys scored methodically on their opening drive with a two-point conversion, the Sailors were faced with an early fourth and one on the Cajon 47. But instead of going for it, the Sailors punted, which puzzled some of the Newport Harbor fans.

Cajon had the ball at midfield, but a short toss pass was intercepted by Cruz Marcella who returned it for a touchdown to give Newport Harbor its first points. But Cajon didn’t take that lying down, as they used a big run from Maleek Nolley on third and 10 to eventually get the touchdown from a checkdown pass from Marcus Washington Jr. to Jordan White.

The Sailors didn’t get a first down until the start of the second quarter, but when they did, they started running the ball methodically with Jonah Takamori. Eventually, Takamori found the endzone to tie it at 14-14. They eventually got the ball back after forcing the Cowboys to go three and out and continued to commit to the run game.

The plan worked with 8:59 in the quarter, as Newport Harbor chewed up almost six minutes on their drive, as it was capped off by a nine-yard touchdown from Jake Meer rolling and finding Ryan Palmer in the endzone. But on Cajon’s first play on its next drive, Washington found Landon White on an 83-yard touchdown catch and run to tie it at 21-21.

The Sailors’ next drive saw them fumble and the Cowboys eventually made them pay the price. Despite being faced with a fourth and five with 39 seconds before halftime, Washington Jr. found White in the endzone for the score, as instead of possibly being down at halftime, Cajon was up at halftime.

Despite over half of the third quarter being chewed up by both teams, Newport Harbor eventually scored on a six-yard touchdown run from Takamori. The Sailors got the ball back off a Cajon fumble that was recovered by James Callahan, but on the second play of their drive, a botched snap went over the head of Meer and was recovered by the Cowboys.

Eventually, Washington Jr. found Jackson Murray in the endzone off a fake wildcat play, as Cajon retook the lead at 35-28. Newport Harbor punted on its next drive, but the Cajon kick returner muffed the punt as the Sailors recovered in the red zone.

Facing a fourth and seven, Meer ran for the first down and it appeared he got it, but was ruled short despite needing to be at the line to gain, turning the ball over on downs. That didn’t deter the Sailors defense, as it forced the three and out, allowing the offense to get back onto the field.

Newport Harbor knew they needed a touchdown, as their offense answered the call as Meer eventually  found Palmer again on the score, tying it up at 35-35 with 3:18 left.

Facing a third and 12 on its drive, Washington Jr. found White on a 43-yard reception to pick up a huge first down for Cajon. Washington Jr. picked up another first down for the Cowboys, as they forced the Sailors to burn all their time outs, eventually leading to the game-winning field goal from Owen Morris.

It was another frustrating loss for the Sailors, who despite forcing five turnovers, they lost another one score game. Every loss that they have this year has been by one score and within the final three minutes.

Newport Harbor will look to halt its two-game losing skid when it heads down to Ontario to play Colony on Friday at 7pm. The Titans entered Friday’s road contest against Valley View 1-2.