Wellman, El Toro run past Woodbridge

IRVINE - El Toro won in Irvine for the second  consecutive week and kept alive its hopes for a playoff berth with a 45-7 Sea View League victory over Woodbridge on Thursday night. (Full game stats.)

Andrew Wellman rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns, and the Chargers defense forced three turnovers, including one that turned into a 14-yard fumble return for a score by Kyle Murphy.

But the effort of 5-foot-7 running back Shawn Priester might have been the difference for El Toro (2-6, 2-1).

After Woodbridge (1-7, 1-2) pulled to to 10-7 with 1:21 left in the first half, Priester returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and a 17-7 halftime lead.

“We had some big plays tonight, and they were fun plays,” El Toro coach Jake Haley said.

Priester, who also caught a touchdown pass, seemed to be bottled up at midfield on the return, but he found a hole and then outran two Woodbridge players to the end zone.

“He can do those types of things,” Haley said of Priester, who also plays defensive back. “He broke it open for us.”

The Chargers never looked back, scoring four more touchdowns in the second half to pull away.

“Give El Toro all the credit,” Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson said.

“They came out, and the more motivated team won.”

• Click here for full game stats.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com