NEWPORT BEACH — Newport Harbor quarterback Jordan Spigarelli completed 13 of 15 passes for 203 yards and five touchdowns, including three to Shane McKibbin, as the Sailors defeated Brea Olinda, 34-7, in an Epsilon League game Thursday at Newport Harbor High School.
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After throwing six touchdown passes in the Sailors’ 56-7 victory over Aliso Niguel last week, Spigarelli has now thrown for 538 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past two games.
“I think we’ve been firing on all cylinders, especially the offense,” Spigarelli said. “We’ve been able to pass it. We’ve been able to run it, so we’re trying to go for a nice even attack. It just ended up where we had five opportunities to throw it.”
The Sailors (7-2, 4-0), who are ranked No. 21 in Orange County, remain undefeated in league play heading into a Week 10 showdown against Trabuco Hills to decide the league championship.
If Trabuco Hills defeats Aliso Niguel on Friday, the Sailors and Mustangs will both be undefeated in league when they face off Friday, Oct. 30, at Newport Harbor High.
If the Mustangs lose to the Wolverines, the Sailors will have clinched a share of first place going into next week’s contest.
The Sailors’ Pepe Tena carried the ball 20 times for 160 yards, which set up opportunities for Spigarelli’s scoring passes, Newport Harbor coach Matt Burns said.
The offensive line opened up holes for Tena and gave Spigarelli plenty of time to throw, the coach said.
“The line has really set us up these past four or five weeks where we’ve been on this run,” Burns said.
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Brea Olinda kicked off to start the game and tried to catch the Sailors off guard with an onside kick.
But the onside kick was unsuccessful and the Sailors took advantage of the short field, driving 52 yards in seven plays and scoring on a 5-yard pass from Spigarelli to McKibbin.
Spigarelli connected with Ryan Farmer for a 54-yard touchdown and connected with McKibbin for touchdowns of 5 and 3 yards to make the score 27-0 at the half.
“I grew up playing with him,” Spigarelli said of McKibbin. “I’ve thrown to him since I was in fifth grade. It’s been really cool to grow up with him and now have a connection with him.”
Brea Olinda (5-4, 1-3) was without dual-threat quarterback Gavin Nicholson, who was injured in the Wildcats’ loss to Foothill last week.
Nicholson has thrown for 919 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 658 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“He’s their best guy,” Burns said. “With Nicholson playing, tonight might have been a little bit different.”
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