McDonald a lead in this act

NEWPORT BEACH — At Newport Harbor High, tradition is almost as essential as the players themselves.

The school instills its athletes with a reverence for it that practically rivals Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof.

So it’s no surprise that the front-runner for the job of quarterback comes from a family of play-callers. Junior quarterback Andrew McDonald is the son of former USC All-American Paul McDonald, who was the starting quarterback for the 1984 Cleveland Browns. Andrew McDonald’s brother Mike, is a former Harbor quarterback who is in his senior season as a backup quarterback for the Trojans.

Paul McDonald is now USC color analyst for KMPC-AM 1540’s “The Ticket.”

Andrew McDonald will do his best to become the starter when the Sailors open their season at home against Aliso Niguel on Sept. 6.

After a lackluster 6-4, 3-2 Sunset League finish in 2006, it will be up to this year’s crop of Sailors to restore Newport Harbor’s high-flying tradition of dominating football. As it prepares for Aliso Niguel, the three-time CIF champion has a scrimmage against Foothill Friday at 7 p.m. in Tustin.

Here’s a position-by-position look at the Sailors:

QUARTERBACK

McDonald (6-foot-1, 160 pounds) has the most promising hold on the starting position for the Sailors. He’s had the most experience in Coach Jeff Brinkley’s system, and has been getting the most repetitions in practice. That leaves Mater Dei transfer Hayden Green (6-2, 210), a junior, and senior Justin Jones (6-foot, 184) battling for the No. 2 spot. According to Brinkley, all three quarterbacks put up similar numbers this summer.

“I would say Andrew’s got the advantage in terms of knowledge of the system, but physically, they’re all pretty equal throwing the ball,” Brinkley said.

Green is just learning the system this year, and Jones is back after missing last season because he moved.

It’s a fresh start for the Sailors, who lost both Kevin Williams and backup Stephen Peterson to graduation. Williams helped lead Newport Harbor to a 6-4 overall 3-2 Sunset League record, finishing the year 67 of 116 for 842 yards and seven touchdowns.

RUNNING BACK

With two strong, healthy veteran running backs returning, Brinkley is hoping to have a powerful offensive tandem this year.