IRVINE University was missing its top running back, Timothy Smith, for Friday’s CIF-SS Southern Division playoff opener with Santa Ana Valley on Friday night. 

Smith was out with a sprained ankle, but the Trojans still had enough firepower to defeat the Falcons, 24-7, at Irvine High. 

Senior Robert Hair stepped in and rushed for 128 yards on 16 carries to help University (10-0) advance to the second round. 

Running back JoJo Galvez also had a big game, rushing for 65 yards on 11 carries.  “When I say this is a team, I mean this is a team,” University Coach Mark Cunningham said.

“We removed one big part of our offense, and we still scored 24 points.” 

University’s defense was also solid. 

Santa Ana Valley (7-4) still had a chance until late in the third quarter, trailing 14-7. 

But on a first-down play, Louis Feinstein intercepted a pass at the Trojans’ 49. 

Then, Hair bolted 51 yards to put University ahead, 21-7. 

Santa Ana Valley was led by quarterback Rudy Penaloza, who passed for 197 yards and running backs Darius Nacoste (52 yards rushing) and Jose Chavez (41 rushing yards).

Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com