Newport Harbor Returns to Win Column with Shutout Win Over Colony

Newport Beach – The Newport Harbor football team avoided a third straight loss, as it beat Colony 42-0 on Friday at Davidson Field to close out the nonleague portion of its schedule.

It was the second shutout of the season for the Sailors, who halted a two-game skid and brought its record to 3-2. Quarterback Jordan Spigarelli threw for four touchdowns – tying a career high – with three of them going to Shane McKibbin, who finished with 153 receiving yards on six catches.

Ryan Palmer caught the other touchdown pass from Spigarelli, scoring on a 66-yard catch and run. Spigarelli, who completed 12 of his first passes, finished 15 for 18 with 305 passing yards 

In the win, Newport Harbor never had a drive that resulted in a punt or a turnover on downs, though they did turn the ball before halftime, as Spigarelli heaved it down field only for it to get picked off in the endzone. Other than that miscue, the home team showed no signs of a Battle of the Bay hangover, despite losing in tough fashion 16-6 in the previous week to rival Corona Del Mar.

Colony had promising drives that found its way into the red zone, as throughout most of the game, it ran the ball on most of its plays. Stopping the run was something the Sailors have had trouble with is past games.

Colony’s second offensive drive saw them get down to the opponent’s 12-yard line, only for the ball to be stripped away by Jett Blauwkamp and recovered by Cameron Hatfield.

The best chance for the Titans to score was in the third quarter, as they got all the way down to the three yard line but fumbled the snap on third and goal, leaving them at the five-yard line to try a field goal. But the attempt hit the left upright, missing its mark.

Colony in the fourth quarter got down to the 15-yard and went for it on fourth down, as Ashton Adams caught Aiden Hill’s pass in the endzone to break Newport Harbor’s shutout. But Sebatian Pearson tackled Adams to jar the ball loose to force an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs.

In addition to Spigarelli and McKibbin’s big night, Pepe Tena had a big game on the ground for the Sailors, rushing for 97 yards and one touchdown. Jackson Stremick also ran in for a score for the Sailors, who got a lot of production from their offensive line, who prevented Spigarelli from getting sacked and only allowed one tackle for a loss.

Newport Harbor has a bye to prepare itself for when it hosts Foothill on Friday October 2 at 7 p.m. That game is billed as the Sailors’ homecoming, as the Knights, in their final nonleague contest, handed Cypress its first loss of the season, winning 21-7 at Tustin High.