Woodbridge defense saves the day

IRVINE — Quarterback Charlie Kelley led the offensive charge for Woodbridge Friday night.

But it was the defense that set the stage for the Warriors' 21-13 victory over Northwood in a Sea View League opener at Irvine High.

Kelley threw two touchdown passes and also scored on a 1-yard run for Woodbridge (2-3-1, 1-0).

Kelley's teammates on the defense caused problems all night for Northwood (3-3, 0-1).

"I think the defense all night was big," Woodbridge Coach Rick Gibson said. "I thought they stopped what they needed to do; they did a great job."

The defense stepped up late in the first half. Northwood appeared to be going in for a go-ahead score when it drove to the Woodbridge 37-yard line.

But Arya Aminzadeh burst through the line for three consecutive sacks to take the Timberwolves out of scoring position.

In the second half, the Woodbridge defense picked up where it left off, holding Northwood on four downs on its opening series.

Then, Kelley went to work, connecting with Nick Gstrein on a 26-yard TD pass to put the Warriors ahead, 14-7.

Kelley scored on a keeper early in the fourth quarter to give Woodbridge a 21-7 lead.

Northwood got the ball back on an interception with five minutes left. The Timberwolves cut the lead to 21-13 when Tony Fullman tossed a halfback option pass to Reed Gubernick for an 11-yard TD with 4:15 left.

Northwood got the ball back with 50 seconds left but the drive stalled near midfield as time ran out.

"It was scary at the end," Kelley said. "It really showed character for our team and it's great to get out with a win and be 1-0 in league."

Kelley also hooked up with Gstrein on a 17-yard TD pass in the first quarter to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead.

Northwood came back to tie the game, 7-7, on a 31-yard TD run by David Woolbert with 10:05 left in the second quarter.

Woolbert led Northwood, rushing for 129 yards on 23 carries.

Gstrein hauled in seven catches for 86 yards for Woodbridge.