Portola football team awarded Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy for first time

Portola football players pose for a picture with the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy Tuesday. (Photo courtesy Portola football)

Portola High’s football team received the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy for the first time Tuesday afternoon at practice.

Portola (8-1, 4-0) earned the trophy by defeating Irvine 44-31 Friday night. The victory also clinched a share of the Pacific Coast League title for Portola in its second year of varsity competition.

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

Portola Coach Peter Abe talks to his team after Friday's win over Irvine.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Portola was awarded the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy.
Photo courtesy Portola football

Kyle Zagorski of Portola exchanges high fives with fans Friday night.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

The Bulldogs will try to win the outright title Friday when they meet Woodbridge at University Friday night in a PCL game. Woodbridge is still in contention for a CIF playoff berth.

“The Fence Post trophy is named after Dennis Toohey, who was an honored youth football coach in the city for many years,” said Portola Coach Peter Abe.

Toohey died on Nov. 2, 1990. The trophy includes a piece of the old Irvine Ranch fencing and is awarded to the high school team in Irvine that has the best record against city opponents. The trophy was first awarded in 1978. Woodbridge won last year’s trophy.

“Earning the title of 2019 city champions and taking home the Fence-Post is an awesome accomplishment for our young program, as in recent years (and current league configuration) achieving this goal has also meant you’re the Pacific Coast League champion,” Abe said.

“I’m proud of our players to have committed to the vision and put the plan into action. We have worked diligently to not only build a successful program on the field, but one that produces high-character, admirable student-athletes off the field that our community can be proud of.  In 2019, the Bulldogs are doing just that.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com

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