Woodbridge stops Katella's comeback

 

 

 

 

By TIM BURT

OCVARSITY.COM

 

IRVINE - Woodbridge held off a second-half comeback by Katella to capture a 21-19 victory Friday night in the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Irvine High.
The victory sends Woodbridge (7-5) into the semifinals next Friday at Irvine High against Pacific Coast League rival and defending Southern Division champion Corona del Mar.
Woodbridge, which won the coin flip with CdM, will be out to avenge a 33-16 loss to the Sea Kings on Oct. 26.
Katella (9-3) did all it could to end the Warriors’ hopes of advancing to the semifinal round of the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
The Knights called timeout with three seconds left to try and win the game with a field goal.
Kicker Robert Resendez had plenty of distance on his 48-yard field-goal attempt, but the ball sailed just to the left of the goal post as time expired.
“I didn’t think he had a shot, but he hit that ball and, for a second, I was a little worried,” Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. “It was long enough, it was just left.
“This puts us where we haven’t been since 1998. The kids played hard and battled. That was a good football team. They came out ready to play.”
Quarterback Matt Callahan led the Warriors, passing for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Branin was the Warriors’ top receiver with four catches for 86 yards, including a 17-yard TD reception in the second quarter.
David McCutchan had two catches for 24 yards, including a 14-yard TD reception late in the second quarter.
Katella, led by TJ Ashmeade (155 yards, 24 carries), put up a fight in the second half after trailing 21-6 at halftime.
“At halftime, we just talked about adjustments,” Katella coach Fred DiPalma said. “We told them, ‘don’t give up,’ and they didn’t. ..They never gave up. I can’t say enough about this group of kids and this group of seniors.
“Looking at the positive, it was just an awesome season, they exceeded all expectations.”
Woodbridge appeared to be in control in the second half.
But Joseph Inda intercepted a pass at the Katella 24 late in the third quarter. Three plays later, Ashmeade scampered 63 yards for a TD to cut the lead to 21-12.
The Knights trimmed the lead to 21-19 when Resendez connected with James Lawson on a 21-yard TD pass with 11:55 left in the game, putting Katella in a position to win the game with a field goal.

Warriors advacne to 2nd round of CIF

Turnovers ice Woodbridge turnaround

By DAVID DELGADO

FOR OCVARSITY.COM

 

WESTMINSTER - Westminster went into Friday night’s CIF-SS Southern Division playoff contest on a five-game winning streak, but was harshly reminded how cruel the playoffs can be as the Lions lost two fourth-quarter fumbles and fell to Woodbridge, 20-17, at home.
Woodbridge scored only once in the second half, but it proved to be enough to advance to play host to Katella in the second round.

Facing a 17-13 deficit in the final period, the Warriors came up with a crucial takeaway when Philip Hong pounced on a Westminster fumble that gave Woodbridge the ball at the Lions’ 18.
On the ensuing play, Matt Callahan threw an 18-yard score to Austin DeFreitas that gave Woodbridge the lead.
Westminster was able to use a 10-point third quarter to turn a halftime deficit into a four-point lead.
Nathan Juarez recovered a Warriors fumble and the Lions took over inside the 10.
Two plays later, David Fludd scored a 5-yard touchdown that gave Westminster its first lead.
The Lions then forced a three-and-out and used a 58-yard reception by Matt Alvarez to set up a field goal by Rodrigo Miranda to pad their slim lead.
As Westminster tried to come back, it lost another fumble after Humberto Maciel broke a long run but was stripped as he fought for extra yardage, ending any chance of a Lions go-ahead score.
Woodbridge took over on at its own 4 with 3:35 to play, and DeFreitas helped the Warriors eat up the clock with some key first downs to seal Westminster’s playoff fate.

Warriors too much for the Vaqueros, move on to Playoffs

Woodbridge locks up playoff spot behind DeFreitas

By TIM BURT

OCVARSITY.COM

IRVINE: Woodbridge looked to running back Austin DeFreitas on Friday night to earn a spot in the CIF-Southern Division playoffs.
DeFreitas came through, scoring four touchdowns and rushing for a school record 309 yards on 30 carries to lead the Warriors to a 35-7 Pacific Coast League victory over Irvine at Irvine High.  "I have to give it up to our line, and Austin and our receivers blocked very well," Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said.

Woodbridge (5-5, 3-2) advances to the playoffs as third-place team while Northwood, which defeated Woodbridge earlier in the season, goes as the No. 2 team.
Irvine (5-5, 2-3) needed to win to have a chance at advancing to the playoffs.
Beckman would have the edge over Irvine as an at-large entry since it defeated Irvine in the league opener.
"We knew we had to win to go to CIF, and we came out with that intensity (knowing) that this could be our last game," DeFreitas said. "The linemen did great."
DeFreitas broke the Woodbridge school record of 299 yards rushing held by Shane Harris in 1998.
DeFreitas scored on touchdown runs of 3, 13 and 60 yards in the first half, helping the Warriors move out to a 28-7 halftime lead.
Woodbridge also executed a fake punt for a touchdown when quarterback and punter Matt Callahan connected with Tyler Noble on an 86-yard scoring strike in the second quarter.
"That was not called, but that's something that we practice," Gibson said.
DeFreitas capped a big night with an 86-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.
Irvine was victimized by four turnovers. The Vaqueros' only score came when Gary Renteria scored on a 7-yard TD run in the second quarter.
"We got down early and I think that just kind of set the tone," Irvine coach Erik Terry said. "If you look at the second half, it was 7-0. We played pretty well in the second half. We got big mistakes early and got in a hole and had a hard time climbing out of it."
Northwood, which defeated Woodbridge, earned the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy. The Timberwolves will receive the trophy at school next week.

 

 

Dropped passes too much to overcome

By DAVID DELGADO

FOR OCVARSITY.COM

NEWPORT BEACH - Corona del Mar came into Friday night’s Pacific Coast League contest knowing a victory would clinch at least a share of the league title.
The Sea Kings, led by receiver Troy Reese, overcame a slow start to earn the league championship and defeat Woodbridge, 33-16, at Newport Harbor High.
Reese, who caught seven passes for 176 yards and pair of second-half scores, was Cayman Carter’s biggest and most efficient target, as the two were seemingly playing catch throughout the game.
Both teams struggled to maintain offensive rhythm during the opening quarter, and each team was only able to muster enough yardage for field goals.
Woodbridge opened the scoring when Donald Jackson kicked a 32-yard field goal, and Corona del Mar’s Grif Amies split the uprights twice in the second quarter, including a 40-yarder that gave the Sea Kings a 6-3 halftime lead.
Corona del Mar (7-2, 4-0) scored the first touchdown of the game after halftime, when Carter hit Reese for a 34-yard touchdown. On Corona del Mar’s next series, Carter marched the Sea Kings downfield and snuck it in from the 2, extending their lead to 19-3.
The Warriors (4-5, 2-2) responded with a drive of their own that culminated when Matt Callahan avoided the pass rush on fourth-and-6 and found Philip Hong alone in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown. However, the 2-point conversion failed.
Corona del Mar put the game out of reach on the first play of the final quarter, when Carter hit the outstretched arms of Reese for a spectacular 31-yard fingertip grab.
The Sea Kings hold a two-game league lead with one game remaining.

Warriors Offensive line dominates

DeFreitas leads Woodbridge past University

 

October 20, 2012 12:43 AM

By TIM BURT

OCVARSITY.COM

 

IRVINE – Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson had been looking for a solid four-quarter performance from his team all season.
Friday night, Gibson got one. He watched his Warriors defeat University, 38-7, in a Pacific Coast League game at Irvine High.
"It was a total game for four quarters, and that's the first time all year," Gibson said. "I'm proud of the kids."

Running back Austin DeFreitas had another big night for the Warriors, rushing for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Matt Callahan was also solid for Woodbridge, throwing three touchdown passes and compiling 174 yards through the air.
"Our O-line came out and did big things," Callahan said. "All over the board, they just dominated and everyone played well. The defense shut them out in the second half, and our receivers made big plays."
Woodbridge (4-4, 2-1) set the tone on the first play from scrimmage when Callahan connected with DeFreitas on a 53-yard pass play, moving the ball to the University 5-yard line.
Two plays later, DeFreitas ran over from 2 yards out to put the Warriors ahead, 7-0.
Callahan hit Zach Kennedy on a 40-yard TD pass later in the quarter to give Woodbridge a 14-0 lead.
University (2-5-1, 0-3) got back into the game when quarterback Connor Martin connected with Keyvan Aminzadeh on a 16-yard TD pass with 3:26 left in the first quarter.
But Callahan hooked up with David McCutchan on a 25-yard TD pass with 10:50 remaining in the first half to put the Warriors ahead, 21-7.
DeFreitas had a 4-yard TD run and Donald Jackson kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give Woodbridge a 31-7 lead at halftime.
Callahan hit McCutchan on a 15-yard TD pass with 7:04 left in the third quarter to put Woodbridge ahead, 38-7.

Strong Defensive and Offensive effort pave the way for a win

Woodbridge, DeFreitas hold off Beckman

October 13, 2012 12:53 AM

By BRENT SHAVER

FOR OCVARSITY.COM

TUSTIN - Woodbridge saved its season and showed it can still be a force in the Pacific Coast League with a 24-16 victory over Beckman on Friday night at Tustin High. Woodbridge, the pick to win the league at the start of the year, had lost four games in a row.
“We told them this was do or die,” Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. “We just hadn’t been playing very well. It was time to step up and do what we needed to do. The kids played really hard.”

Woodbridge (3-4, 1-1) was ready from the start. The Warriors scored three touchdowns, all on runs by Austin DeFreitas, and racked up 275 yards of offense in the first quarter alone.
A 17-yard TD run by DeFreitas, who finished with 212 yards rushing on 35 carries, gave the Warriors a 21-3 lead with 3:57 left in the first quarter.
Donald Jackson’s 35-yard field goal put Woodbridge ahead, 24-3, with 10:26 left in the half.
What looked to be a blowout early turned into a game as Beckman (2-5, 1-1) chipped away at the lead.
A 61-yard touchdown pass from Quinn O’Dell to Nick White pulled Beckman to 24-9. Blake Crandall’s 26-yard touchdown run made it 24-16 with 9:26 left in the third quarter.
But Beckman couldn’t come up with that key play to score again.
DeFreitas and quarterback Matt Callahan had crucial carries for first downs for Woodbridge to run out the clock.
DeFreitas, who also started on defense for the first time this season, finished with 212 yards rushing on 35 carries.

Woodbridge drops 4th consecutive game

Turnovers help Northwood stun Woodbridge

October 06, 2012 12:18 AM

By TIM BURT

OCVARSITY.COM

IRVINE - Northwood opened Pacific Coast League play upsetting preseason league favorite Woodbridge, 21-10, Friday night at Irvine High.
"Our kids played really well, but they're a great football team," said Northwood coach Rick Curtis. "We played pretty much mistake-free football, and that's what we needed to do.
"We had no turnovers, and our defense played lights-out. That offense is unbelievable."

Quarterback Kevin Norman led the charge, scoring two touchdowns and throwing for another to lead the Timberwolves (2-4, 1-0).
Norman passed for 153 yards and rushed for 81 yards.
"We just stepped up; our role players really played a big part in this," Norman said. "Our offensive line did a great job, and our running back John Edmond and our tight end Jonathan Albright made some great plays. The defense stepped up big, too; it was a team effort.
"It's a huge win for us. No one picked us to win. We just came out and shocked the world."
Woodbridge (2-4, 0-1) cut the lead to 21-10 when quarterback Matt Callahan connected with David McCutchan on a 15-yard TD with 11:09 left in the game.
Later in the quarter, the Warriors moved the ball to the Northwood 30-yard line, but on a fourth-and-9 play with 2:33 remaining, Norman, at who also plays defensive back, knocked down a pass attempt in the end zone to seal the victory.
"We had three turnovers in critical situations, one when we were going in for a score," Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. "We just haven't done that all year and they capitalized. They had no turnovers. My hat is off to their coaches and players."
Norman put Northwood ahead when he scored on a 1-yard keeper with 5:55 left in the first quarter. He also scored on an 8-yard TD run with 8:38 left in the second quarter to give the Timberwolves a 14-0 lead.
Northwood then moved ahead, 21-0, when Norman hooked up with Albright on a 5-yard TD pass with 2:56 left in the second quarter.

 

 

Cole's record-setting effort lifts Aliso Niguel

By STEVE FRYER

OCVARSITY.COM

IRVINE - Drew Westling no longer has the single-game passing record at Aliso Niguel.
It’s partially his fault that his record was broken.
Westling is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Aliso Niguel. His protégé, Aliso quarterback Nathan Cole, passed for the school-record 491 yards as the Wolverines defeated Woodbridge, 50-41, Thursday in a nonleague game at Irvine High.
Westling, son of Aliso head coach Kurt Westling, set the previous record of 482 yards against El Toro in 2004, his senior year.
“That was Drew’s big goal,” Kurt Westling said, “to see how many of his records Nate can break. Those two guys are very close, so this is very fun.”
Cole, a 6-foot-4 and 215-pound senior, completed 37 of his 48 passes and threw seven touchdown passes to four different receivers. Seven receivers caught at least one pass, and five of them had at least seven catches. And the Wolverines’ leading receiver going into the game, Jordyn Williams, did not play Thursday because of injury.
Aliso Niguel (5-1), ranked No. 7 in the CIF-Southern Section’s Southwest Division, last week was beaten by Mission Viejo, 84-22. The Wolverines needed a good showing in this one.
“We were excited to get going this week,” Cole said. “Offensively, this was our first full game.”
Aliso’s Brendan Mitchum had eight receptions for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony Ventura had eight catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
Woodbridge quarterback Matt Callahan also had a productive night. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 249 yards. The Warriors’ James Carr had five receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Austin DeFreitas of Woodbridge rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
The Warriors (2-3), ranked No. 5 in the Southern Division, begins Pacific Coast League play next Friday against Northwood at Irvine High.
Aliso Niguel, which finished 7-4 overall last year, plays its Sea View League opener next Friday with a home game against Dana Hills.

Segerstrom defense steps up against Woodbridge

Segerstrom defense steps up against Woodbridge

September 22, 2012 12:55 AM

By DEVIN UGLAND

FOR OCVARSITY.COM

 

SANTA ANA - Friday night’s matchup between Segerstrom and Woodbridge was bound to showcase unlimited offense. What remained to be seen was which team could get the necessary defensive stops.
That team was Segerstrom, as the Jaguars defeated Woodbridge, 47-28, in a nonleague game at Segerstrom High thanks in large part to five touchdowns from running back David Perkins.

Woodbridge (2-2) found itself in great position early as running back Austin DeFreitas carried the Warriors down to the 1-yard line on their opening possession. Quarterback Matt Callahan then punched in a touchdown just under two minutes into the game.
The Warriors wouldn’t find the end zone for the remainder of the half, however, as Segerstrom (5-0) running backs Perkins and Sonny Roa combined for five touchdowns and 226 yards in the first half to give the Jaguars an imposing 35-7 lead at the break.
Perkins finished with 218 yards on 24 carries, while Roa pitched in 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The Jaguars defense put the reins on one of the county’s top rushers in DeFreitas in the opening half, but the junior could not be held down in the second half as he scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter, bringing the Warriors to 35-14.
After the score, Woodbridge recovered an onside kick, and went on to score on a 4-yard run from DeFreitas, making it 35-21. On Segerstrom’s next possession, Perkins charged the Jaguars down field, carrying the ball three times for 51 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown run, giving Segerstrom a 41-21 advantage.
Again, Woodbridge made the game interesting on its next possession, as second-string quarterback Michael Pritchett, who replaced the injured Callahan in the second half, found his tight end, Zach Rusick, for a 6-yard touchdown at the 4:33 mark of the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 41-28.
But Perkins scored minutes later to secure the victory.
Perkins answered minutes later with his fifth touchdown run of the game, putting any Woodbridge comeback hopes to rest, and giving the Segerstrom the 47-28 victory.
DeFreitas paced the Warriors offensively, carrying the ball 38 times for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

Capo Valley's Dossey comes up big against Woodbridge

September 14, 2012 11:37 PM

By DAVID DELGADO

FOR OCVARSITY.COM

MISSION VIEJO - Mason Dossey passed for 352 yards and four touchdowns to lead Capistrano Valley to a 42-29 nonleague victory over visiting Woodbridge on Friday night.
The first half was marred by turnovers, as each team committed three.
Capo Valley had a pair of fumbles, and Dossey was intercepted by the Warriors’ Scott Patton. Woodbridge was also picked off twice and lost a fumble in the first quarter.
Capistrano Valley (3-1) opened the scoring on defense when Jackson Bellar intercepted a Matt Callahan pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.
Woodbridge responded with a 74-yard drive that ended when Callahan evaded several Cougars defenders and found tight end Zach Rusick for a 35-yard score.
At the start of the second quarter, Capistrano Valley struck quickly as Dossey hit Cole Robinson with a 28-yard strike that gave the Cougars a 12-6 lead.
With 10:45 remaining in the third, Dossey was injured and backup Matt Gordon came in. He drove the Cougars to the 2, but the Warriors defense held and Capo Valley settled for a field goal.
Dossey returned on the next possession and was able to convert on several third downs, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Michael Mullen in the corner of the end zone.
With the score tied at 29 entering the final quarter, Woodbridge fumbled at its own 10. On the next play, Dossey found Robinson for their third scoring play together, giving the Cougars the lead for good.
Woodbridge running back Austin DeFreitas finished with 151 yards on 27 carries and one TD.

DeFreitas runs wild in Warriors 37-30 victory over Garden Grove

Junior rushes for two touchdowns and 277 yards. s story

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  SLIDE SHOW:
  DeFreitas runs wild in Warriors 37-30 victory over Garden Grove
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By TIM BURT / The Orange County Register

Woodbridge's football team survived a furious second half comeback by Garden Grove Friday night, holding on for a 37-30 nonleague victory at Irvine Stadium.
The difference in the game was Woodbridge running back Austin DeFreitas.

Austin DeFreitas of Woodbridge breaks the tackle by Garden Grove's Gerardo Rodarte on a touchdown run during Friday's game.

MIGUEL VASCONCELLOS, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

MORE PHOTOS »

The 6-foot-1, 192-pound junior had his second consecutive outstanding game, rushing for 277 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns.
In addition, he had an 11-yard pass completion. DeFreitas rushed for 153 yards in the opening game victory over Lancaster.
"He only played a half for us last week," Woodbridge Coach Rick Gibson said of DeFreitas. "We kind of knew this was going to be his year. He's worked hard and he's just a great kid and very humble and we love what he can do."
The total was the second best rushing performance in Woodbridge history. The school record is held by Shane Harris, who rushed for 299 yards on 34 carries in 1998.
DeFreitas scored on the Warriors first possession on a 78-yard TD run in the first quarter. As the Argonauts were making a serious run, DeFreitas went over from 5 yards out with 9:34 left in the game to put the Warriors ahead, 37-23.
"We came out tough and my line really got it done tonight," said DeFreitas, who took several direct snaps and ran with the ball. "I don't know if I could do it without them. They really got a push tonight, they stepped up from last week and we got the win. The first carry, I just felt it in my legs and the line was doing good. We had a good week in practice and we just brought it."
Woodbridge (2-0) had a solid first half. Donald Jackson had a 30-yard field goal, David McCutchan had a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown and Philip Hong scored from 3 yards out with 50 seconds left in the first half to put the Warriors ahead, 24-7.
It looked like a comfortable margin.
But it almost fell apart for Woodbridge in the second half when Garden Grove rattled off 16 unanswered points. Mazoe Mascoe had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown, C.J. Del Real had a 2-yard TD and Garden Grove recorded a safety when the ball was snapped over the head of the Woodbridge punter out of the end zone, cutting the lead to 24-23.
The Warriors got back on track when quarterback Matt Callahan connected with McCutchan on a 67-yard TD pass with 11:46 left in the game to put the Warriors ahead 31-23.
Garden Grove (1-1) battled to the end, trimming the margin to 37-30 when Gabriel Carillo hauled in a 4-yard TD pass. But Woodbridge was able to run out the clock on its next possession.
"They (Garden Grove) battled real hard and we played very stupidly in the beginning of the second half," Gibson said. "We got full of ourselves and just made some very uncharacteristic mistakes, but it's game two and it's better to win those when you play like that than lose, but we got a lot of work to do."
Gibson took the blame for some of the second half problems.
"Some of that was my fault as a coach," Gibson said. "We needed to settle them down and I didn't do a good job of that, so that's more on me than it is on them. The kids battled back and did what they were supposed to do. Austin and the offensive line pushed some people around, that's a good football team."
McCutchan wound up with five catches for 107 yards. Callahan completed 8 of 16 passes for 137 yards, one TD pass and one interception.

Woodbridge holds off Garden Grove

September 08, 2012 2:30 AM

By TIM BURT

OCVARSITY.COM

 

IRVINE – Woodbridge had some anxious moments in the second half, but the Warriors held on for a 37-30 nonleague victory over Garden Grove on Friday night at Irvine High.
The Warriors (2-0) had what looked to be a comfortable 24-7 halftime lead before the Argonauts (1-1) scored 16 consecutive points, capped by a safety with 5:28 left in the third quarter.
But Woodbridge had Austin DeFreitas on its side.
DeFreitas capped a sensational night with a 5-yard touchdown to put Woodbridge ahead, 37-23, with 9:23 left.
The junior wound up with 277 yards rushing on 28 carries. He rushed for 153 yards in last week's 56-0 victory over Lancaster.
"We came out tough and my line really got it done tonight," DeFreitas said.
Garden Grove scored the first touchdown when C.J. Del Real scored on a 9-yard TD run with 9:56 left in the first quarter.
But on the Warriors third play from scrimmage, DeFreitas bolted 78 yards for a score to tie it.
Garden Grove battled to the end, though, cutting the lead to 37-30 on a 4-yard TD pass from Angel Martinez to Gabriel Carillo with 3:55 left.
However, Woodbridge was able to run out the clock.

 

 

Woodbridge not challenged by Lancaster

September 01, 2012 12:18 AM

By ERIC SMITH

SPECIAL TO OCVARSITY.COM

 

LANCASTER - Austin DeFreitas ran for two touchdowns and passed for another as Woodbridge routed Lancaster, 56-0, in a season-opening victory for the Warriors.
The junior running back finished the night with 13 carries for 153 yards.
Lancaster(0-1), which went 1-9 last season and has totaled seven victories in its last four seasons, was outmatched from the start as Woodbridge (1-0) raced to a 42-0 halftime lead.
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OCVarsity Hot Shots: Friday's photos
OCVarsity Fandemonium: Friday's games
Fryer breaks down Week 1's results
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The Eagles’ offense was limited to minus 3 yards in the opening quarter as their first six drives ended with two turnovers and four punts. Lancaster’s initial first down came on a Woodbridge personal foul in the second quarter.
The Warriors needed just five plays to score on their opening drive, using some trickery to do so. Woodbridge scored on a halfback pass as DeFreitas found senior quarterback Matt Callahan all alone in the end zone.
"We’re a fairly experienced team from last year," said Woodbridge head coach Rick Gibson. "We got some breaks but Lancaster played real hard.
"It’s a good start for us."
DeFreitas added a 42-yard score later in the quarter as the running back gashed the Eagles up the middle. The junior also added an 8-yard touchdown run to open the second quarter as Woodbridge grabbed a 21-0 lead.
Callahan added a rushing score of his own midway in the second quarter.