IRVINE – Woodbridge used a balanced offense to hold off a stubborn University squad and extend its winning streak to four games with a 20-17 victory Friday night at University High.
Woodbridge (4-2, 1-0) was led by the sharp decision-making of Michael Pritchett, who threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns and the big-play ability of John Schiazzano, who caught four passes for 103 yards.
The Warriors were also aided by the hard running of Connor McBride, who picked up key first downs in the fourth quarter thanks to the blocking up front. McBride had 99 rushing yards and a touchdown.
University (3-3, 0-1) set the early tone with a methodical 18-play, 80-yard scoring drive that lasted nearly nine minutes and was capped by Matt Abellaneda’s 2-yard TD catch.
John Kang was the workhorse early for the Trojans. He kept drives alive with yards after contact.
The Warriors answered back in the second quarter with a pair of touchdowns that gave them a lead they would not relinquish. Zach Kennedy’s first reception tied the score at 7.
After forcing a quick Trojans punt, Woodbridge took the lead for good on a 2-yard touchdown run by McBride, a score that was set up by a 52-yard catch by Schiazzano.
Both teams traded punts to start the second half before the Warriors’ Alex Young took a short pass from Pritchett and scored on a 36-yard catch that gave Woodbridge a 10-point lead.
The Trojans cut the deficit to 20-17 when Wes Jordan hit Abellaneda for his second touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but University couldn’t get any closer.
