IRVINE – Running back Connor McBride delivered the knockout blow in Woodbridge’s 28-17 Pacific Coast League victory over Northwood on Friday night at University High.
McBride ran 81 yards for a touchdown on a third-and-2 play with 4:58 left help the Warriors complete a comeback victory. McBride finished with 215 yards on 21 carries to lead Woodbridge (3-5, 1-2).
“The first half is kind of an example of how our whole year has gone,” McBride said. “We weren’t really playing to our full potential. We knew this was a crucial game and we all came together and did exactly what we had to do and came out on top.”
Northwood (1-7, 1-2) looked like it might pull off an upset after a strong first half. Quarterback Brandon Johnson found Michael Bellas on a 15-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter for a 17-7 lead at halftime.
Woodbridge quarterback Spencer Weston connected with Nate Ledoux on a 52-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 17-14 early in the third quarter. Weston added a 15-yard touchdown pass to Karston Graves later in the quarter to put Woodbridge ahead for good, 21-17.
“I got to give the kids all the credit because at halftime they just asked to talk among themselves,” Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. “My defensive coordinator went in and fired them up a little bit more. It’s a character win.”
Woodbridge has made six straight trips to the CIF playoffs.
“We’re hoping for another,” Gibson said.
Johnson, who passed for 217 yards and rushed for 46, gave Northwood a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter on a 1-yard run. His 2-point conversion run made it 8-0.
Bellas had seven catches for 131 yards.
Contact the writer: tiburt@scng.com
