IRVINE – Woodbridge was down, but not out.
The Warriors rattled off the final 23 points and went on to a 40-30 win over Beckman in a wild Pacific Coast League game at University High.
The victory meant that the Warriors (5-4, 3-1) locked up a top-three spot in the league and a CIF playoff berth.
“It shows you what this team is made of,” Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. “It is just a resilient group.
“They kept playing really hard.”
Beckman (3-6, 1-3) led, 30-17, after Liam Molina kicked a 29-yard field goal with 2:35 left in the third quarter.
The Warriors started their climb back a minute later behind Connor McBride, who had quite a night.
The junior took off on a 57-yard touchdown run up the middle. Drew Phillips’ extra point pulled Woodbridge to within 30-24 with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter.
A safety made the score, 30-26, early in the fourth quarter.
McBride then gave Woodbridge its first lead of the night. His 16-yard touchdown run put the Warriors up, 33-30, with 10:59 left in the game.
McBride, taking mostly direct snaps out of the wildcat formation, finished with 286 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries.
“I can’t do it without the team and this was a team effort,” McBride said.
“I am running behind great blocks. I give a lot of credit to the line and my fullbacks.”
Woodbridge extended its lead to 10 points on a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kian Heiat with 9:26 left in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors ran off the final 8:28 with a 16-play drive that included 13 runs by McBride.
Beckman led 13-0 right out of the gate on a Chris Horton 1-yard run and 33-yard fumble return for a touchdown by I’Jon Akahi.
Dean Nagle passed for 178 yards, and Jake Groves rushed for 74 yards.