The Sailors threw three interceptions, which led to 10 points, and atypically leaked on defense as Dana Hills senior tailback Matt Garcia sprinted 86 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Garcia's pivotal play, with 9:12 left in the game, came on the first snap after the Dolphins (2-3) stopped the Sailors (2-2) on fourth down deep in Dana Hills territory.
"You can't win games doing those things," said Brinkley, who saw his team commit six turnovers and surrender an 80-yard touchdown pass in a 14-6 loss to Back Bay rival Corona del Mar on Sept. 21.
Newport Harbor scored its lone touchdown by cashing in a Brice Stillman interception midway through the second quarter.
But the Sailors were on the wrong end of the three aforementioned interceptions, all of which sailed into the awaiting arms of sophomore middle linebacker Eric Ehlow on throws late and down the middle.
Ehlow, who said he had never intercepted a pass before Friday's game, saw three Sailor aerials spin directly to him as he dropped in zone coverage. There did not appear to be a Newport Harbor receiver near him as he gathered in the interceptions at the Sailors' 34-yard line, the Tars' 36 and his own three. The final pick halted the Sailors' comeback attempt with 1:31 left, after which the Dolphins, who stunned 2005 CIF Southern Section Division I champion Loyola last week, run out the clock.
"We misread the thing," Brinkley said of the ill-fated passes that ended Newport Harbor possessions.
Ironically, it was the passing game that appeared to spark the Sailors in the final quarter.
Kevin Williams, alternating at quarterback with fellow senior Stephen Peterson, took over in the fourth quarter, per Brinkley's preconceived plan, and after two runs, threw back-to-back completions. The well-placed passes to J.B. Green and Stillman netted 57 yards and put the Tars at the Dana Hills 31.
