SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The JSerra football team blew a three-touchdown lead for the second week in a row, but this time the Lions were still able to get the victory.
Zander Singh connected with Pierce Tanghal for the go-ahead touchdown that gave the Lions a 28-21 win over Newport Harbor in a nonleague game Friday night at JSerra High.
Newport Harbor wide receiver Josiah Lamarque can’t catch the pass late in the game as JSerra safety Axel Olander blocks the ball in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra runningback Logan Christensen, number 2, gets a flying chest bump from a team mate after scoring the first touchdown of the game against Newport Harbor in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Newport Harbor wide receiver Kashton Henjum tries to break away from JSerra safety Axel Olander in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra wide receiver Pierce Tanghal crosses the goal line for a touchdown against Newport Harbor in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
The JSerra football team runs onto the field to take on Newport Harbor in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra running back George Perez gains yardage before he is brought down by Newport Harbor defenders in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Newport Harbor wide receiver Josiah Lamarque is tackled by JSerra cornerback Aiden Aguayo in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Newport Harbor quarterback Colton D Joseph is brought down for a loss against JSerra in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Newport Harbor quarterback Colton D Joseph throws under pressure from JSerra defensive end Jose Frutos in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Zach Lewis, left, get makeup applied by Taylor Trujillo before Newport Harbor took on JSerra in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
A fan in the JSerra rooting section holds up a face on a stick as Newport Harbor battled JSerra in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra running back George Perez breaks away for yardage against Newport Harbor in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Newport Harbor’s Harry Pullis, left, and quarterback Colton D Joseph scramble for the ball after it was fumbled on the snap against JSerra in a non-league football game at JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 2, 2022. (Sam Gangwer, Contributing Photographer)
Singh threw two touchdowns in the game, including a 17-yard pass to Tanghal with 8:40 left in the contest. The Lions’ George Perez rushed for 102 yards and scored two touchdowns.
After the No. 19-ranked Sailors (2-1) tied the score in the fourth quarter, the No. 8 Lions (2-1) responded with a six-play, 80-yard drive where Perez and fellow backfield mate Kamar Gabourel each broke off 25-yard runs to help set up the winning touchdown.
JSerra coach Scott McKnight spoke frankly about the Lions’ performance.
“It’s the second week in a row that we’ve given up a 21-0 lead,” he said, referring the Lions’ 24-21 loss at Chaminade in Week 1. “We did it at Chaminade, we were up 21-0 there, so we gotta do a full study on our team, players and coaches alike, and we have to do a deep dive on why we are giving up leads like this.”
The Sailors, who were without coach Peter Lofthouse on Friday due to personal reasons, relied on their defense to spark their comeback in the second half
An interception return for a touchdown by Billy Reilly and then a fumble recovery in the end zone by Trey Regitz brought Newport Harbor within one touchdown in the third quarter, and that made Sailors defensive coordinator John Arredondo very proud.
“It’s all about the boys,” Arredondo said. “They’re great at halftime and they do a good job of taking the coaching at halftime and making the adjustments. They play with a great attitude and they always give us a great effort. It’s just about them and their belief.”
The Sailors continued their momentum surge late in the third as they drove down field thanks to a huge catch by Josiah Lamarque that set up Colton Joseph’s 1-yard TD run that tied the score on the first play of the fourth quarter.
“I don’t know if there’s a word better than proud to talk about how we feel about these guys,” Arredondo said. “To take on a game like this, and to take on a challenge like this, against a great program, I’m just really, really happy and really, really proud.”
Newport Harbor faces Capistrano Valley next week while the Lions meet Centennial of Corona in their toughest test of the season.
