Historic Upset: Huntington Beach Hands Newport Harbor First League Ever Loss in Overtime, Score 18-12 (2025)

Newport Beach – Davidson Field (NHHS)

For the first time since the Sunset League launched in 2023, Newport Harbor suffered a league loss — and it came in one of the most memorable games of the season. Huntington Beach handed the Sailors their first-ever league defeat, 18-12 in overtime, on Monday night at Davidson Field. The result ended Newport Harbor’s incredible 34-game league winning streak and left both teams tied atop the standings at 8-1 with three games remaining.

The Oilers (15-1) set the tone early with a defensive stand and a confident first-half drive. Junior quarterback Roxie Shaia connected with Shelby Nguyen on an 11-yard touchdown pass to give Huntington Beach a 6-0 lead at halftime. Newport Harbor’s defense, led by Scarlett Guyser, who picked off two passes, kept the game within striking distance.

The Sailors (18-2) broke through in the third quarter when sophomore Skylie Cid capped a drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to even the score at 6-6. Cid struck again in the fourth, this time hauling in a 6-yard touchdown pass from Guyser, putting Newport ahead 12-6 midway through the quarter.

But Huntington Beach had one final surge. Senior captain Taylor Savage, who finished with 11 catches for more than 100 yards, kept the Oilers moving with clutch grabs. With just 21 seconds left, Shaia found senior center Kate Ross on an 8-yard strike between two defenders, tying the game at 12-12 and forcing overtime.

The extra period belonged to the Oilers. Nguyen made a spectacular one-handed grab to extend the drive, and Shaia finished it with a 1-yard quarterback sneak on fourth-and-goal. On Newport’s possession, HB’s defense stepped up again. Meleah Benedict recorded a key sack on third down, and on the final play, junior Brianna Massion deflected a pass intended for senior Cooper Dick, sealing the historic win.

Along with Savage’s dominance, Massion added nine catches on offense and an interception on defense, while Nguyen’s two-way play was critical. For Newport, Cid scored twice and Guyser was a factor on both sides of the ball, while Ashlyn Spicer and Blakely Irvine also had interceptions.

Huntington Beach will next host Corona del Mar on Wednesday, while Newport Harbor looks to regroup at Edison.