Northwood can smell playoffs after beating Woodbridge

IRVINE - Northwood took a major step toward securing a CIF playoff berth Friday night by defeating Woodbridge, 42-14, in a Pacific Coast League showdown at Irvine.

But Northwood Coach Rick Curtis wasn't taking anything for granted.

"It's a crazy league, we have to play Uni next week and they're scrappy and they play hard every week," Curtis said of University. "We've got to come to play. We didn't come to play last week."

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Northwood (5-3-1, 2-1-1) came out inspired to try and secure the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2005. The Timberwolves also have a shot at winning a share of the league title if Beckman can defeat Corona del Mar next week.

Northwood quarterback Ricky Bautista was on fire, completing 17 of 22 passes for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Alex King hauled in two TD catches for 25 and 2 yards and wound up with four catches for 65 yards.

But the Timberwolves were also clicking on the ground. Running back Shane Boukorras rushed for 157 yards on 22 carries, and Justin Gisch rushed for 65 yards on six carries, including a 9-yard TD in the second quarter that put Northwood ahead, 14-7.

"The offensive line was amazing," Bautista said. "The offensive receivers executed and the defense was outstanding in the red zone. They stopped Jalen Craver; he was tired at the end. The coaches did an amazing job calling plays."

Quarterback Max Neser led Woodbridge (5-4, 2-2), rushing for 107 yards on 20 carries.

The Warriors weren't able to stop Northwood in the second half as the Timberwolves outscored the Warriors, 28-7.

"In the first half, when we ran a bunch of plays, we just made some penalties and turned the ball over a couple times in critical situations," Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said. "Northwood outplayed us in the second half."