IRVINE – Woodbridge had a number of individual standouts Friday night in a 26-20 nonleague victory over Garden Grove at University.
But if he had a choice, Warriors coach Rick Gibson would probably give the game ball to members of his offensive line.
“We put this one on them as far as getting off the ball because they’re a physical football team,” Gibson said.
Woodbridge (1-2) was able to force four turnovers against the Argonauts (1-1), who went into the week as the top-seeded team in the CIF Southern Divison.
Scott Patton had a key interception for Woodbridge, picking off a pass at the Warriors 5-yard line and returning it 55 yards midway through the fourth quarter.
It eventually led to a 36-yard field goal by Ryan Eisendrath with 5:05 left that put Woodbridge ahead 26-13.
But Garden Grove refused to fold and cut the lead to 26-20 when quarterback Josh Green connected with Malik Bilai on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 3:10 to play.
The Warriors were able to hold on for the upset victory.
Eisendrath also had a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter to put Woodbridge ahead, 10-0.
“He was a diamond in the rough,” Gibson said. “He came to me the middle of last year and said, ‘Coach I think I can field goal kick,’ and I guess he can.”
The Warriors also got a strong performance from starting quarterback Michael Pritchett, who passed for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Two of his scoring strikes were to Jack Martine, a 41-yard toss in the first quarter and a 22-yard pass in the third quarter.
“Those were the first two catches of his Woodbridge career,” Gibson said of Martine.
Pritchett also threw a 10-yard TD pass to Zach Kennedy in the third quarter.
Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com
