fondly
Barry Faulkner
NEWPORT BEACH - Newport Harbor High football players and coaches,
who helped foster the atmosphere in which Andre Stewart may have been
most comfortable, came together at Davidson Field Sunday to comfort one
another after learning the senior star was killed in a car accident early
Sunday morning.
Bringing flowers, as well as small memorial American flags, reflecting
the image which adorns both sides of the Sailors' navy blue helmets,
mourners remembered Stewart as one of the program's most popular,
talented, and respected players.
His joyful soul and his devotion to the team were consistent themes among
those who related their memories of the small (5-foot-9, 160 pounds), but explosively strong and determined tailback, who set several records while
leading the Sailors to the CIF Southern Section Division VI title last
fall.
"I can see that big smile now," Sailors running backs coach Bill Brown
said of the two-way starter, who rushed for a school single-season record
2,404 yards and scored 26 touchdowns en route to collecting numerous
individual honors.
"It was a joy to be around him and a joy to see the way he grasped
things."
Though he was recognized as CIF Division VI Offensive Player of the Year,
Newport-Mesa District MVP, Sea View League Offensive Player of the Year,
Orange County All-Star and team MVP, senior teammate Billy Clayton said
Stewart was most proud of his part in the team title.
"I think he was the guy most affected by us winning the championship,"
Clayton said. "You could tell the sense of accomplishment he felt,
because winning a championship was such a huge goal for him."
Clayton, senior offensive tackle Robert Cole, senior defensive end Brad
Craig, head coach Jeff Brinkley and assistants Zach Biehl and Brown, all
recounted how football was the catalyst in Stewart's maturation process,
upon transferring to Newport from San Jose before his freshman year.
"He had a rough outside at first, but he was such a genuine person," said
Cole, a member of the offensive line Stewart regularly credited for
paving the way to his success.
"When he got here, he had no one to trust. But I think the football team
became one area of his life where he found that trust. He knew he could
always count on football in that way. And when he was comfortable in his
environment, he would steal the show."
Stewart, whom one rival defensive coordinator compared to former Servite
High, Nebraska, and New Orleans Saints star Derek Brown, frequently put
on a show under Friday night lights.
