IRVINE – University clinched its first CIF playoff appearance since 2007 by defeating Irvine, 36-21, in a Pacific Coast League game Friday night at Irvine.
University (8-1 overall, 3-1 PCL) is tied for second place with Woodbridge (5-4, 3-1), which is also guaranteed a postseason spot. The teams will battle for second and the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy in next week’s regular-season finale at University.
“I’m so happy for our kids,” University coach Mark Cunningham said. “One of the goals we set at the beginning was that we had to change the culture and we’ve got to go the playoffs and we have to get great efforts on every play.”
Sam Winder led the Trojans with 166 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Matt Abellaneda scored three touchdowns and rushed for 136 yards.
Quarterback Neil Boudreau completed five passes for 56 yards.
University built a 22-14 lead by halftime, then Abellaneda’s 32-yard touchdown run with 6:18 left in the third quarter pushed it to 29-14.
Irvine (3-6, 0-4) cut the lead to 29-21 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Omar Elkady late in the third quarter, but the Trojans sealed the victory on Winder’s 35-yard touchdown run with 1:25 left to make it 36-21.
“It means a lot to us,” Abellaneda said. “Cunningham deserves it. He’s been training us hard. It’s always been a goal for us this year.
“It feels good to be on a team like this,” Boudreau said.
Curtis Jackson led Irvine with 77 yards rushing and a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that gave his team a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.
Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com
