TUSTIN – Beckman, which is likely postseason-bound for the first time since 2012, put on a playoff-caliber show Friday.
The Patriots defeated Northwood, 41-14, in the Pacific Coast League matchup at Tustin High.
The Patriots (6-4, 4-1) crowded together on the field after the game and hoisted the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy — given to the Irvine team with the best season record against Irvine opponents — to a raucous chorus of “CIF” chants.
“The main goal was just to be 4-0 in Irvine,” said senior tackle Trent Rasmusen, who had a 3-yard touchdown run. “That was the main goal, (to) beat out everyone. And we accomplished it.”
Quarterback Dean Nagle led Beckman’s offense as he’s done for much of the season with 10 of 16 passes completed for 230 yards and three touchdowns.
It only took a combined 11 plays for Beckman to score four consecutive touchdowns on its opening four drives. An 82-yard touchdown throw from Nagle to Willie Lajoie, a squib kick on an ensuing kickoff that was recovered by the Patriots, and a 25-yard scoring flea flicker on an Angel Ramirez pass to Mikael Milan in the end zone all contributed to the Patriots’ quick first-quarter lead.
The Patriots scored twice more in the second quarter on Rasmusen’s run and a 19-yard touchdown reception by Liam Molina to take a 41-0 advantage into halftime.
Lajoie finished with two touchdown catches for 127 yards and I’Jon Akahi ran for a touchdown and 41 yards on five carries. The Timberwolves (1-9, 1-4) were held scoreless until a 75-yard, 14-play drive in the fourth quarter culminated in a 2-yard scoring run by Ramal Silva.
The Patriots clinched one of three Pacific Coast League playoff berths this season, and will play in the CIF-SS Southwest Division 10 playoffs.
“After we lost to Westminster, that was a brutal night, they came together and reaffirmed (being undefeated in Irvine) as their goal,” said Beckman coach Marcello Giuliano. “And they spent the next month-plus working for it.”
