Newport dominates

COSTA MESA — Last year, Corona del Mar High football coach Jason Hitchens got his first mouthful of the Battle of the Bay.

Walking with his team near the home stands before the game at Newport Harbor, Hitchens heard the noise.

“It was a unique sound for one thing,” said Hitchens, now in his second year. “Having 7- and 8-year-olds telling you why you suck, basically how they feel about you, when you come on to the field was different.”

Hitchens and his Sea Kings didn’t have to deal with any overzealous kids before this year’s game.

The Sea Kings chose a site away from Newport Harbor for Thursday’s 48th edition of the rivalry game. They still had to face the Sailors Thursday and again that proved to be an issue.

The Sailors walloped CdM, 37-7, in front of an overflowing crowd of close to 8,000 fans at Orange Coast College. The difference this year compared to years past was more fans.

Instead of playing at Davidson Field, an additional 3,000 fans watched Newport Harbor manhandle the Sea Kings for the third straight year and beat them for the 10th time in the last 11 contests.

The Sailors improved to 3-0 on the season and handed the Sea Kings (3-1) their first loss. They also lead the Battle of the Bay series, 35-13.

Coach Jeff Brinkley is one victory away from No. 200 for his career at Newport Harbor. Hitchens congratulated Brinkley afterward.

“That’s on the back burner,” said Brinkley, who’s in his 24th year. “People make too big a deal about [No. 200].”

Only seven other Orange County coaches have reached the career milestone for wins.

The way the defense is playing Newport Harbor has a strong shot of giving Brinkley win No. 200 on the road at Dana Hills next week. Against CdM, ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Southern Division poll, the Sailors took a page out of a spectator’s game plan on the sideline Thursday.

Tito Ortiz, an MMA fighter from Huntington Beach, followed the game. Newport Harbor used some “ground and pound” on the field.

Cedric Whitaker topped 100 yards for the second straight week, finishing with 136 and one touchdown on 17 carries.

Newport Harbor’s defense was relentless, forcing two fumbles, intercepting a pass and sacking the quarterback five times. The Sailors, who also blocked a punt, allowed less than 100 yards on the ground and through the air.