Virgen: Battle of the Bay bigger than ever

The Battle of the Bay is always a big game, those who are connected to it will always say. This one just seems bigger than most. It certainly appears huge for Corona del Mar High junior quarterback Peter Bush.

There are several storylines for the 53rd edition of the Battle of the Bay, Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Davidson Field. The story of Peter Bush and this rivalry game is compelling for sure.

Bush’s father, Blaine, and older brother, Sam, played football at Newport Harbor. Blaine was the football booster president before his oldest son decided to transfer after his freshman season and play for Mater Dei.

The family moved, out of the Newport Harbor school zone and into CdM’s. Peter had gone to Ensign Intermediate and grew up with friends who ended up at Harbor. Peter is now the starting quarterback of the Sea Kings, who are riding a 29-game win streak, which includes a victory over the rival Sailors last season.

I visited Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley in his office after practice Wednesday evening to ask him about Peter Bush.

“I really don’t know him to be honest with you,” Brinkley said. “I’ll talk about my guys.”

To be truthful, this game is not about Peter Bush. Yet, the Sea Kings will need to rely on their athletic quarterback even more on Friday night, as CdM senior standout tailback Cole Martin is out with a right sprained knee.

“Just playing for CdM we just really want to win,” Peter Bush said. “I love my friends over there at Newport Harbor. We’re just looking at this game as a team. We’re not looking at this as something personal for me. I have 10 other guys on offense and another 11 on defense. We are all looking at this together.”

Because of CdM’s win streak and favorite status this game could be an emotional one. When the Sea Kings won the Battle of the Bay last year, they celebrated as if they won a CIF title.

“They were pretty happy last year,” Brinkley said. “It goes with the territory. The only thing that bothered me, and this has nothing to do with Coach [Scott] Meyer and his team, was that the [CdM] fans were running up and cussing at our kids. But our fans are not angels either. I think it just comes with the territory.”

Meyer is in his fourth year with the Battle of the Bay rivalry. He knows his players are excited for the big game.

“It’s a big game for the whole community,” Meyer said. “This game every year is exciting and it’s special for the players and coaches on both sides. We talked to the team about controlling emotions, especially at the beginning of the game, as a team let’s not get carried away with the emotions.”

Brinkley is doing his best to tone down the hype of the game. He’s been around plenty of Battle of the Bay games, as this is his 29th season at Newport Harbor.

He feels as if Newport Harbor is the underdog in this one. That hasn’t always been the case, as the Sailors are up 38 to CdM’s 14 in the rivalry matchup. In the past 20 seasons, CdM only has three wins over the Tars (2013, 2006 and 1998).

“They’re all the same to me,” Brinkley said of the Battle of the Bay. “I’ve done this a long time. The thing is you can’t over-emphasize the game. To us league is the key thing and you’re trying to get into the playoffs. We always stress that to the kids.”

Peter Bush knows Friday night will be intense as a sell-out crowd is expected. The majority of the players all grew up in Newport Beach and this game is very important no matter how much the coaches try to quiet the hype.

“It was great growing up around the Battle of the Bay,” said Peter Bush, whose older brother is a preferred walk-on at Notre Dame. “I’ve been to the games. It’s just awesome. I know what the atmosphere will be about. I just can’t wait to feel it for myself.”