Northwood clinches second place in league

IRVINE - Northwood is back in the CIF playoffs for the first time since 2005.

The Timberwolves clinched at least second place in the Pacific Coast League with a workmanlike 28-7 victory over University on Thursday night at Irvine High.

Northwood (6-3-1, 3-1-1) could tie for the league title if Beckman defeats Corona del Mar tonight.

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"It is exciting for the kids," Northwood coach Rick Curtis said. "I am happy for the seniors. They've had a tough go of it the last few years."

The Timberwolves scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters to take a 21-0 lead.

Northwood scored on its first series, driving 64 yards on 12 plays. Ricky Bautista, who threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns, found Tyler Zorn open on an inside screen play for a 6-yard touchdown pass.

Bautista later hooked up with Jake Nieber on 17-yard and 12-yard scoring passes to give Northwood its three-touchdown cushion.

Nieber showed quick reflexes on his first touchdown catch, grabbing the ball in the right corner of the end zone after it bounced off a University defensive back's hands.

A negative yardage punt because of strong wind gusts helped University (1-9, 0-5) score midway through the fourth quarter. Chase Ginther, who came on for injured starting quarterback Zach Christy, threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Stanek.

Brenen Tidwell capped Northwood's scoring, returning an interception 71 yards for a touchdown with 2:54 remaining. Northwood finished with four interceptions, including two by Justin Gisch.