IRVINE – Woodbridge had plenty to celebrate Friday night after defeating Irvine, 17-10, in a Pacific Coast League game at Irvine.
The Warriors locked up second place in the league with a week to go in the regular season and earned a trip to the CIF playoffs.
Woodbridge (6-3, 3-1) also took home the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy, which goes to the top football team in Irvine. It’s the first time since 2006 that the Warriors have won the Fence Post.
“It’s been a while; we talked to the kids about it (the Fence Post) and they were fired up; we knew this was a city championship so we’re very excited,” said Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson.
“It’s an honor to have it back in our house.”
Woodbridge had to battle back from a 10-0 deficit to win it. Connor McBride scored on a 2-yard TD run with 3:54 left in the third quarter to put the Warriors ahead, 17-10.
McBride led the Warriors with 152 yards rushing.
Gibson was also excited about seeing his team lock up a CIF playoff berth.
The loss hurt the playoff chances of Irvine (5-4, 1-3). The Vaqueros tried to tie it late in the game, driving the ball to the Woodbridge 5-yard line.
But Karstn Graves intercepted a pass at the 4 and returned it to the Irvine 35 before fumbling. Irvine recovered and had another chance.
The Vaqueros then drove to the Woodbridge 34. But Ryan Eisendrath intercepted a pass at the 15 and returned it to the 37.
Irvine had control early in the game. Trent Colbert kicked a 29-yard field goal in the first quarter. Mikey Filia then connected with Trevor Salerno on a 15-yard TD pass early in the second.
Filia passed for 228 yards while Michael Pritchett passed for 119 yards for Woodbridge.
Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com
