Woodbridge Coach Connor McBride and the Warrior players celebrate with the CIF Division 13 championship plaque after defeating Montebello. (PHOTOS: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
Friday night’s CIF Division 13 football championship game marked one of the most unlikely matchups in recent high school sports, but for Woodbridge and Montebello, it was a dream come true and the two teams provided a thriller.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
The Woodridge Warriors (6-8) started the 2025 campaign at 0-7, won two of their remaining three regular season games and then won a coin flip to qualify for the playoffs.
Once in the post season, Woodbridge never looked back winning three consecutive games to reach the finals. Similarly, Montebello struggled early in the season as well, and at one point, had suffered three consecutive losses, being outscored by opponents by an account of 97-7.
Nevertheless, the Oilers rebounded and marched into the championship riding a four-game winning streak and making its first finals appearance in 90 years.
When the dust cleared before a near-capacity crowd at Montebello, Woodbridge captured its third CIF championship with a 24-23 victory and its first title since 1998.
Montebello was attempting to win the school’s first football championship since the school opened in 1909.
Woodbridge freshman quarterback Waylon Stone played with the poise of a seasoned veteran as he rushed for 100 yards, scored two touchdowns, and completed 10 passes for 118 yards.
“I have to be honest with you when we were 0-7 a CIF title wasn’t the first thing on my mind but we never stopped believing we could win a championship,” said Stone, who sealed the win with an 8-yard scramble with under a minute to play in the game that gave the Warriors a clinching first down.
Leading 13-10 at halftime, Woodbridge increased its lead to 16-10 after Fabian Grey capped a long drive with a 28-yard field goal with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter.
Stone displayed his crafty footwork as he scrambled out of the pocket, eluded several defenders, broke a tackle, and dove into the corner of the end zone to complete a 27-yard TD run of the first play of the fourth quarter, upping the Warriors lead to 24-10.
However, two minutes later, the Oilers (7-7) struck back quickly and trimmed the lead to 24-17 on a Donovan Murillo 8-yard TD run. Murillo rushed for 138 yards in the game and two touchdowns.
Stone guided Woodbridge deep into Montebello territory on the ensuing drive but the Oilers blocked a field goal attempt, setting up a nail-biting ending.
Montebello marched 69 yards in 12 plays, capped off by Murillo’s 15-yard touchdown run with 1:09 to play. However, the Oilers appeared to mishandle the snap and the PAT sailed wide left, leaving the Oilers trailing 24-23.
Woodbridge recovered an onside kick and on third down Stone scrambled eight yards for a crucial first down. The Warriors then ran out the clock to secure the victory.
“This victory is a direct reflection on our guys never quitting,” said Woodbridge Coach Connor McBride, who was born in 1998, the same year the Warriors won its last CIF title. “It’s not bad for a first year and I owe so much credit to my assistant coaches and of course the players. They worked so hard and despite frustration along the way, they never stop believing this was possible.”
Stone, David Bosley, and Kayjahn Pitts combined to rush for 223 yards as Woodbridge never punted in the game.
“It feels great to win a CIF title, especially after we had such a rough 0-7 start,” said Pitts. “We never gave up.”
“We stayed positive and focused even when we when had the lead tonight,” said Bosley. “We stayed together and never gave up on one play.”
Woodbridge took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards in 13 plays to take an early lead. Stone had several keys runs and Bosley capped the scoring drive with a six-yard TD run. However, the Warriors missed the PAT but led 6-0.
Montebello countered immediately moving the ball 60 yards in five plays. Quarterback Joe Curiel tossed a 48-yard touchdown pass to Francisco Mirelez who broke several tackles and rambled into the end zone to give the Oilers a 7-6 lead at the 4:17 mark of the opening quarter.
Following a Woodbridge turnover, Montebello added to its lead to 10-6 on a 26-yard field goal late in the first quarter.
Stone moved the Warriors quickly downfield on the Warriors next possession. His 55-yard pass completion to Bosley set up Stone’s eight-yard touchdown run that gave Woodbridge a 13-10 lead at the 11:16 mark of the second quarter.
Both teams continued to move the ball effectively. The Oilers were successful using a hurry-up offense. However, following a Montebello 17-play drive, that took most of the second quarter, Colin Chen blocked an Oilers field goal attempt that proved costly to Montebello.
“My coaches were telling me that I need to block a kick today,” said Chen, a 5-8 cornerback. “I just felt fortunate to get in and get my hands on it, anything to help this team. I was so happy they missed it.”
Montebello won its first three playoffs’ games by a total of 11 points defeating Rancho Alamitos, Linfield Christian, and La Puente while Woodbridge beat Desert Hot Springs, Buena Park and Saddleback in close contests. McBride said after the game that Woodbridge has accepted a bid to play in a state championship game next week.
Pairings will be announced Sunday.
NOTES:
—-Montebello finished third in the Almont League this season.
—Woodbridge has won two CIF football championships (1998 and 1987).
—Assistant Woodbridge coach Rick Gibson: “I was 27 years old when I took over as Woodbridge head coach. But I will tell you that Connor (McBride) is much more mature than I was. When Connor took over, he came to me, John (Halagan) and Cliff Nelson and ask us to help him learn how to become a head coach. He quickly learned to delegate duties like the offensive and defensive coordination jobs and other administrative tasks.”
—Assistant Woodbridge coach John Halagan: “Every journey for every team is different and the journey is what makes it exciting and keeps old guys like me and Rick (Gibson) coming back for more. It’s exciting and we all have fond memories.”
—-Connor McBride: “The night we fell to 0-7 we told the kids that we are not quitting on you, and we need you guys to do the same for us. The next day at Saturday’s practice they all showed up with an attitude to work harder and improve each day. I’m not going to lie to you; it was frustrating losing. We all wanted to see our success from our hard work, and we didn’t have any wins to show for. That was the frustrating part but then we won five of our next six games and that tells you the character of our kids.”
—Waylon Stone’s grandfather, Bob Stone: “I feel nervous for him on every play; he’s only 15 years old,” said Bob Stone, referring to his grandson, Waylon. “But the kid works so hard, and I think he handles the pressure so well.”
—Woodbridge senior guard Cymon Blakey: “We grinded it out, but it never should have been that close,” said Blakley. “We made a lot of mistakes, but we continued to battle.”
—-Pete Gonzalez, head coach at Montebello: “Making it to the finals has meant everything to this community. I’ve received emails and calls from all over the country. I’ve gotten calls from the east coast and today I received an email from a player from the 1971 team who now lives in the Philippines.”
—This reporter covered his first career prep football game in August of 1993 at Montebello High School (Montebello defeated Pioneer 32-6). Friday was the first time returning to Montebello to cover a game since. It was worth the wait.
More Stories
CIF football championship final scores for OC teams Friday night, Nov. 28
La Habra back in CIF finals, out to secure championship against San Jacinto
Carson Palmer’s Santa Margarita Eagles excited about rematch vs. Centennial for CIF title