Newport Harbor Runs Past San Dimas

NEWPORT BEACH —  Newport Harbor High School discovered the running game was the shortest path to the second round of the Division VI playoffs Friday night.

The Sailors (8-3) held off San Dimas, 27-20, in a first-round game at Davidson Field. They will next meet Sunny Hills, a 28-20 winner over Savanna Friday night.

The Sailors raced to a 27-14 third-quarter lead with a rushing game that amassed 219 yards. The Sailors had 119 yards in the second half as quarterback Steve Walker threw only one pass.

Running back Russell Olshefski led the Sailor offense with 103 yards in 14 carries and two touchdowns.

His 34-yard run gave Newport Harbor (8-3) a 13-6 second quarter lead and his four-yard run capped a 60-yard third quarter scoring drive that gave the Sailors their biggest lead.

San Dimas (8-3) drove 80 yards and scored on quarterback Tyson Stull’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Davis, closing the gap to 27-20 with 4:28 left in the third quarter. Running back Matthew Harding led the Saints with 94 yards in 22 carries and two touchdowns.