Woodbridge puts Northwood away in second half

Northwood football fans take a selfie before the startof Friday's Pacific Coast League game against Woodbridge at Irvine.
Northwood majorettes perform before the start of Friday's Pacific Coast League game against Woodbridge at Irvine.
Woodbridge's Jack Martine, left, looks for room to run as Northwood's Taylor Cleary, middle, and Nick Baldonado (21) apply pressure during Friday's Pacific Coast League game at Irvine.
A Northwood marching band member performs before the start of Friday's Pacific Coast League game against Woodbridge.
Woodbridge's Nick Nash, middle, tries to avoid the pressure from Northwood's Garrett O'Connor, left, and Carson Williams during Friday's Pacific Coast League game at Irvine.
Woodbridge cheerleaders perform during Friday's Pacific Coast League game against Northwood.
Northwood's Trevor Lawrence, right, tries to break away from the grasp of Woodbridge's Ryan Grijalva as Woodbridge's Emad Waqfi looks on during Friday's Pacific Coast League game.
Northwood's Michael Bellas, back, attempts a one handed catch as Woodbridge's Dj Chiaramonte (88) tries to break up the pass during Friday's Pacific Coast League game.
Northwood's Justin Doron, left, tries to run past the pressure Woodbridge's Jalen Gill during Friday's Pacific Coast League game at Irvine.
Northwood's Liam Akiva, right, can't break through the tackle of Woodbridge's Karstn Graves, bottom and Chase Bradley (14) during Friday's Pacific Coast League game at Irvine.
Northwood's Cameron Kasey, left, looks to pass as Woodbridge's Jack Gale looks on during Friday's Pacific Coast League game at Irvine.
Northwood's Garrett O'Connor, right, hauls in a pass as Woodbridge's Jalen Gill gives chase during Friday's Pacific Coast League game.
Woodbridge's Connor Mcbride, left, looks for room to run as Northwood's Garrett O'Connor prepares to make the tackle during Friday's Pacific Coast League game at Irvine.

By Tim Burt | Orange County Register

October 23, 2015 at 11:20 p.m.

IRVINE – Woodbridge broke open a close game with two scores in the first two minutes of the third quarter and went on to defeat Northwood, 45-13, in a Pacific Coast League game Friday night at Irvine.

Woodbridge (4-4, 2-1) held a 14-7 lead at halftime.

But on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Alex Young ran 80 yards for a score on an inside handoff to put Woodbridge ahead, 21-7.

On the next Northwood possession, the Warriors’ Jalen Gill intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards for a TD to give Woodbridge a 28-7 lead.

The Warriors kept piling up points, finishing with two touchdowns in the final stanza to improve their chances of advancing to the CIF playoffs.

“It brings us a step closer but we have a tough one with Beckman and Uni (on the final week),” said Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson.

Connor McBride again led the Warriors’ offense. Lining up most of the night in the wildcat formation, McBride rushed for 155 yards and completed two passes, one for a 37-yard score to Jared Kaleikini early in the fourth quarter.

McBride scored on a 35-yard TD run late in the first quarter to put the Warriors ahead, 7-0.

Northwood (2-6, 1-2) tied the game, 7-7, when quarterback Cameron Kasey connected with Garrett O’Connor on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 7:37 left in the second quarter.

But Woodbridge regained control when Young returned the ensuing kick-off 90 yards for a score.

“He just hit the seam; he’s so fast,” Gibson said. “We’ve kind of been holding him out here and there offensively and he got a chance to run a little bit tonight.”

Spencer Tran led Northwood, rushing for 95 yards. He had a 39-yard TD run in the third quarter. Kasey passed for 138 yards for the Timberwolves.

Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com