Newport Harbor Sinks Sea Kings on Way to Playoffs

NEWPORT BEACH — Brett Baker gained 133 yards in 17 carries and had two interceptions as Newport Harbor earned a playoff spot by defeating Corona del Mar, 42-20, Friday night in a Sea View League game at Newport Harbor High.

The Sailors (8-2, 3-2), who reached last year’s Southern Section Division V championship game, qualified for this season’s playoffs as the league’s third-place team.

Baker capped Newport Harbor’s 15-point first quarter on a 43-yard interception return with 1 minute 13 seconds remaining. Lamar Lee recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for the Sailors’ first touchdown, and Eddie Johnson followed with a 16-yard field goal.

In the second quarter, Baker scored from three yards. Pete Hogan later caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Steve Gorman, who completed seven of 10 passes for 67 yards.

Andre Stewart scored with three seconds left in the first half on a one-yard run to make it 36-0.

Baker, who has rushed for triple-figure yardage in seven games this season, opened the second half with a 55-yard touchdown run.

Then it was Corona del Mar’s turn.

The Sea Kings scored three consecutive touchdowns: Ryan Cooper caught a 12-yard pass from Dennis Alshuler, and Nate Lemmerman scored two touchdowns on runs of three and one yards.

The Sea Kings suffered their sixth loss in a row and finished with their worst record (2-8, 0-5) in 30 seasons.