Sailors vs. Irvine still special

The circumstances have changed, and even one team’s defensive scheme. But the continued presence of two veteran coaches on each sideline ensures the football rivalry between Newport Harbor High and Irvine retains the mystique it has held since the early 1990s.

The two tradition-rich programs, which spent the last 14 seasons dueling in the Sea View League, square off as nonleague opponents tonight at 7 at Irvine High.

Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley is in his 21st season at the helm of the Sailors, while Terry Henigan is in his 27th campaign guiding the Vaqueros.

“It’s always a challenge when we play them,” said Brinkley, whose team opened its season with a 20-0 win over former Sea View League foe Aliso Niguel on Sept. 8.

The Sailors are competing in the Sunset League this season.

Irvine (1-1), which shifts from the Sea View to the Pacific Coast League this year, was surprised by crosstown rival Woodbridge last week, 20-10, to drop the Vaqueros’ record to 1-1.

The Vaqueros, who met the Sailors in three CIF Southern Section title games since joining the Sea View League in 1992, opened their season with a 24-6 triumph at Elsinore.

In addition to the stakes, the biggest change tonight could be Irvine’s defensive alignment. The Vaqueros have abandoned the 46 Bear defense for a more standard four-four alignment, Brinkley said.

“It’s a little different look, but they still fly around and they still hit you,” Brinkley said. “And they’re always well-coached.”

Only the faces have changed for the Sailors, who have plugged 19 first-year starters into their time-honored offensive and defensive systems, seemingly with little dropoff from a team that claimed the CIF Division VI crown last season.

Newport Harbor displayed a dominant defense in blanking Aliso, limiting the Wolverines to 86 yards from scrimmage, including just 35 on the ground.

The defense is anchored by returning All-CIF performers Mike Calabrese, a 6-foot-1, 224-pound tackle, and senior middle linebacker Nick Frazier.

The Sailors’ defense will face the challenge of containing senior Irvine running back Chris Sykes, who is off to a strong start in his third season as a varsity starter.

Sykes (5-8, 205 pounds) followed up a 188-yard, two-touchdown performance against Elsinore with 149 yards against Woodbridge. He is averaging 8.6 yards per carry thus far.

Brinkley said his special teams will need to be sharp to contain the Vaqueros, who have long displayed a penchant for long kickoff and punt returns.

“It seems like every time you turn on a tape of their game, one of their guys is breaking a return for 70 yards,” Brinkley said. “I hope we can match up with their special teams.”

The Sailors will hope for continued progress on offense, where junior tailback Ben Frazier produced 87 yards on 23 carries in his first varsity start and alternating senior quarterbacks Kevin Williams and Stephen Peterson combined to throw for 86 yards and one TD.

Junior tight end Dustin Campbell was the leading receiver against Aliso with three catches for 18 yards.

The Newport Harbor offensive line is led by 382-pound senior right tackle Frank Muscatello.

Irvine’s passing game, averaging just 19.5 yards per game, is triggered by senior quarterback Danny Hinkson. Hinkson, who ran for a touchdown against Woodbridge, has completed 10 of 21 with one interception.

Since 1992, when Irvine joined the Sea View League, Henigan’s Vaqueros lead the series, 9-8.

Irvine won CIF titles by defeating the Tars in 1992 and 2000, while Newport won the title-game showdown in 1999.

But the Sailors have won the last two games decisively. Newport posted a 34-14 win last season and thumped the Vaqueros, 35-0, in 2004.