Woodbridge keeps CIF playoff hopes alive with wild 19-14 victory over University

Woodbridge High School’s football team scored three touchdowns over the course of an eight-and-a-half minute period in the second half to upend University 19-14 in an Omicron League game Friday night at University.

The Warriors, who were led by acting coach John Halagan, kept their CIF playoff hopes alive with the win.

Uni was the designated home team for the game.

University (3-6, 0-4) came out strong running the ball on senior night.

Big runs by Damari Carter and Justin Tribble set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Diego Sosa to give the Trojans a 7-0 lead just over two minutes into the game.

University couldn’t capitalize on three first half Woodbridge turnovers (two fumble recoveries by Carl Oldham and an interception by Carter) and two trips to the red zone.

Woodbridge (3-6, 2-2) took the second half kickoff and went on an 11-play, 60-yard drive culminating in a perfect 16-yard scoring pass from Caden Jones to Erik Vining knotting the score at 7-7.

On the second play of the fourth quarter, Jeremy Harris ran the ball in from five yards. Harris carried the ball 16 times for 102 yards on the night and recovered a key fumble. Two minutes later and one play after a Trojan fumble, Jones found Aydrien Garnica in the end zone on a 34-yard pass for a 19-7 lead.

University was not done. Tribble connected with Carter on a 10-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 19-14. Carter had 21 carries for 55 yards and four receptions for 40 yards. For Woodbridge, Jones was 13 for 22 for 122 yards with Garnica hauling in five of them for 72 yards.

Woodbridge, which is tied with Buena Park for third place, finishes league play Friday at Buena Park while University plays at Katella.

—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone