PHOTOS: Uni clinches first CIF playoff berth in more than a decade with win over Buena Park

University junior wide receiver Charlie Carmichael returns a punt for a touchdown during the second quarter of Friday night’s Omicron League game in Buena Park. (PHOTOS: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

University’s football team topped Buena Park on the road 34-14 in an Omicron League game spoiling the host’s senior night. University (6-3, 4-0) clinched its first CIF playoff berth since 2015.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

University wide receivers Moises Keith-Chavez (87) and Charlie Carmichael (4) had standout performances for the Trojans.

Buena Park captains Elias Chavez (21), Aiden Beltran (22), Nathan Arellano (2), and Jacob Morales (3) stand in the middle of the field for the coin toss.

University captains Moises Keith-Chavez (87),Marco Pablo Tirado (5), Deandre Miller (1), and Dylan Elmer (12), prepare for the coin toss.

Because of inclement weather, fans were transferred to the Buena Park gymnasium until it was safe to go back to the stadiums stands.

Game officials depart from the Buena Park field because of thunderstorms surrounding the venue.

Buena Park fans act in disbelief as the delay is announced in the PA system.

Buena Park cheerleaders entertain the crowd on Friday night.

Buena Park head coach Mauricio Carmona interacts with University head coach Vince Mesa prior to Friday night's Omicron League matchup.

Buena Park stands are empty until further notice on Friday night.

A grey set of clouds sit above Buena Park football stadium on Friday night.

Buena Park head coach Mauricio Carmona communicates with his players prior to Friday night's matchup against University.

Buena Park head coach Mauricio Carmona poses with the Coyotes senior players prior to Friday night's contest against University.

University head coach Vince Mesa goes over plays with his players before the end of the first half.

Buena Park head coach Mauricio Carmona supervises the clock on Friday night.

Buena Park quarterback Angel Miranda scrambles for yardage on Friday night.

Buena Park quarterback Angel Miranda drops back to pass on Friday night.

University running back Deandre Miller picks up yards during the first half of Friday night's game against Buena Park.

University quarterback Dylan Elmer drops back to pass on Friday night.

Buena Park senior wide receiver and cornerback gets recognized along with his family on Senior Night.

University players stay loose in the aisles during the weather delay.

University kick returner Moises Keith-Chavez gains yardage for the Trojans as Buena Park defenders Nathan Arellano (2), and Andrew Medina (4) are in pursuit.

University linebacker Marco Pablo Tirado anad members of the Trojan defense look over to the sidelines for direction.

The win was the Trojans’ fourth in a row for the first time since 2017 and clinched the program’s first winning season in as many years.

The game was delayed about 40 minutes due to lighting strikes in the area. Fans were told to head to the Buena Park gymnasium during the delay.

University scored less than three minutes into the game on a 50-yard pass from Dylan Elmer to Moises Keith-Chavez giving the Trojans a 6-0 lead after the extra point kick attempt hit the left upright. Buena Park countered with a 10-play drive resulting in a missed 36-yard field goal.

Early in the second quarter, Charlie Carmichael returned a punt 38 yards for a touchdown giving the Trojans a 13-0 lead. Later in the quarter Elmer connected again with Keith-Chavez on a 36-yard scoring strike pushing the lead to 20-0 at halftime.

University added two more scores in the third quarter. Elmer and Keith-Chavez connected for a third time, this time for 40 yards and Aleks Savinok subsequently scored on a 13-yard run to expand the Trojan lead to 34-0.

Buena Park managed two fourth quarter scores. Angel Miranda threw two touchdown passes, 9 yards to Aiden Beltran and 17 yards to Nathan Arellano. Miranda finished with 14 for 22 for 156 yards.

Elmer was 8 for 13 for 176 passing yards and three touchdowns expanding his University High career records of 3,976 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes.

Keith-Chavez caught five passes for 150 yards and in the process set two new University High single season receiving records. His 1,005 receiving yards eclipsed the 930 by Cruz McMullens in 2025 and his 13 touchdown receptions surpassed 10 by Blaine Anderson in 2022.

Coach Vince Mesa was thrilled with University’s performance. The Trojans host Los Amigos (8-1, 4-0) next week for the Omicron League title.

Buena Park plays at Garden Grove next week. Both have identical (2-7, 2-2) records and play for third place and a playoff berth.

—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone