Newport Harbor football earns first outright league title since 2004

The Newport Harbor High football team had not won a league title since 2008.

That year was a rare five-way tie for first place. But the Sailors left no doubt about who was the best team in the Epsilon League in 2026.

They blitzed Trabuco Hills 37-7 in a league title game on Friday night at Davidson Field, completing an undefeated run crown.

Newport Harbor running back Pepe Tena finds a route through Trabuco Hills defenders during Friday’s game.

(Eric Licas)

“It means so much,” Sailors senior Jackson Stremick said. “We worked so hard this offseason. We’ve had two rough years, and to come back and go 5-0 in league, after going 0-5 and 1-4, it’s just such a great feeling. I’m so proud of our guys. Everyone contributed. Everyone did their part.”

Senior quarterback Jordan Spigarelli threw touchdown passes to three different receivers — Stremick, Ryan Palmer and Shane McKibbin. And junior running back Pepe Tena went off to the tune of 172 rushing yards and a pair of scores.

It all added up to the emphatic league title for the Sailors (8-2, 5-0 in league), who have been working since last fall to make it happen. It’s the first outright league championship for Newport Harbor since 2004, before any of the current players were born.

Newport Harbor senior Jackson Stremick makes a touchdown catch under pressure from Trabuco Hills safety Kanoa Mamuad during Friday’s game.

(Eric Licas)

“I really thought we were a playoff team last year, and 3-7 didn’t get us in,” Newport Harbor coach Matt Burns said. “I thought in the Bravo League, we might get a little bit of credit, sneak in there, but we didn’t. These kids held onto that. Since November, we’ve been lifting in the weight room, doing everything to prepare for this.”

Newport Harbor learned Sunday, when the CIF Southern Section released the playoff brackets, that it would be hosting El Modena (9-1) in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs on Friday night at Davidson Field. The Vanguards finished second in the Delta League to Huntington Beach.

The Sailors come into the playoffs with plenty of momentum, after scoring at least 34 points in all five of their league wins.

Newport Harbor quarterback Jordan Spigarelli carries the ball downfield during Friday’s game.

(Eric Licas)

After Spigarelli hit Stremick in the back left corner of the end zone for a score on the Sailors’ second possession Friday night, they used defense to get the ball back. As a Trabuco Hills receiver crossed midfield, Sailors senior linebacker Jett Blauwkamp punched the ball out, and Sailors junior Carter Clark recovered the fumble.

“I saw him kind of carrying it like a loaf of bread, and we practice ‘peanut punching,’” Blauwkamp said. “I thought it was a perfect time to put my hand in there, punch that ball out.”

Blauwkamp characterized his team’s defense, which held the Mustangs scoreless through three quarters to create a running clock situation, as “fantastic” from the defensive line to the linebackers and defensive backs. Stremick nearly had an interception, and he, Ryder Godbold and Theo McFarland combined on a quarterback sack.

Trabuco Hills (7-3, 4-1) did play without standout running back Luke Hoffman.

Newport Harbor receiver Shane McKibbin shakes off Trabuco Hills defenders during Friday’s game at Davidson Field.

(Eric Licas)

Five plays after the fumble recovery, Tena exploded for a 44-yard touchdown run on the final play of the first quarter. The Sailors were off to the races.

Spigarelli was precise with his passes and stood firm in the pocket.

“He played great, and we protected for him,” Burns said. “Honestly, I seriously have to give the offensive line credit. There’s been times when no one is near him. Tonight, he got hit a few times, and he made some great throws under pressure.”

Newport Harbor head football coach Matt Burns rallies his players during a timeout against Trabuco Hills on Friday.

(Eric Licas)

The Sailors celebrated wildly after the final whistle. It’s the 14th league title in nearly 100 years of Newport Harbor football.

Burns, who is in his third year in charge at his alma mater, has been coaching for Newport Harbor since 1998. He made sure his players understood the significance of what they accomplished.

“I told the kids that you can literally put your year on the wall, and you’re a part of Newport history,” he said. “It’s so special. It’s pretty cool.”

Newport Harbor running back Pepe Tena breaks through Trabuco Hills defenders during Friday’s game at Davidson Field.

(Eric Licas)

Epsilon League

Newport Harbor 37, Trabuco Hills 7

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Trabuco Hills 0 - 0 - 0 - 7 — 7

Newport Harbor 14 - 9 - 14 - 0 — 37

FIRST QUARTER

NH — J. Stremick 17 pass from Spigarelli (Robinson kick), 2:44.

NH — Tena 44 run (Robinson kick), 0:00.

SECOND QUARTER

NH — Palmer 43 pass from Spigarelli (kick blocked), 8:38.

NH— Robinson 31 FG, 0:14.

THIRD QUARTER

NH — Tena 18 run (Robinson kick), 7:05.

NH — McKibbon 7 pass from Spigarelli (Robinson kick), 0:14.

FOURTH QUARTER

TH — Downs 37 pass from Verplancke (Bailey kick), 9:17.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

TH — Farzley, 12-31.

NH — Tena, 21-172, 2 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

TH — Verplancke, 5-15-0, 81, 1 TD.

NH — Spigarelli, 18-22-0, 216, 3 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

TH — Downs, 3-55, 1 TD.

NH — Palmer, 3-80, 1 TD; McKibbon, 5-59, 1 TD; J. Stremick, 5-55, 1 TD.