New Woodbridge football coach Aaron Craver gets ready for first game vs. Portola

Aaron Craver takes over for Rick Gibson as head coach this season. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

It will be the first game in a new era for the Woodbridge High football program as Aaron Craver takes over for long-time coach Rick Gibson Friday night.

Craver will lead the Warriors into a non-league game against Portola at 7 p.m. Both teams are part of the Pacific Coast Conference. Craver was co-head coach last season.

‘With the shortened prep time for this year and this being my first game as the head coach at Woodbridge, our team goals are to get better every day and to build confidence and morale top to bottom in the program and to win our half of the league,” Craver said.

“Our players are very excited to be back out there playing football and myself as well.” 

Woodbridge will be led by strong safety Owen Lucas, a two-year starter and top returning player and quarterback Carry Rainey, who is also a return specialist,.

Running back Tommy Prince, receiver Vincent Garcia and Rocco Wilsey, an offensive and defensive tackle, are also talented players with experience, Craver said.

“Top newcomers to the varsity lineup are junior Ashton Salberg, junior Kaden Bensalem and a slew of sophomore starters with bright futures including Dereck Moore, cornerback; Daniel Goodrich, receiver and Subedei Temuujin and Marcus Chang, both offensive lineman.”

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