After hard-fought crosstown battle, Irvine and Woodbridge open league play

Irvine Coach Tom Ricci talks to his players after Friday’s win. (Photo: OC Sports Zone, Tim Burt).

Irvine and Woodbridge High School football teams, after a hard-fought non-league finale, now prepare to open league play this weekend.

Irvine, which defeated Woodbridge 21-14 with some big defensive plays in the fourth quarter, opens Pacific Coast League play hosting Dana Hills Friday night at Irvine Stadium. Irvine comes in with a three-game winning streak.

Irvine won the outright league title of the Pacific Hills League, the upper tier league in the Pacific Coast Conference, last season. It’s now called the Pacific Coast League.

Dana Hills comes into Friday’ game 5-2 and defeated Beckman and Portola to wrap up non-league play.

Irvine had to battle back from a fourth-quarter deficit behind the play of defensive backs Solomon Carrillo, who had a pick six and Nate Sasaki, who had an interception that set up a score to top their crosstown rivals from Woodbridge in front of a big crowd at Irvine Stadium.

“They’re ball hawks, you put it up and they’re ball hawks,” said Irvine Coach Tom Ricci of Carrillo and Sasaki.

Running back Evan Hasegawa, quarterback Joseph Tierney and receiver Deacon Moss led the Irvine offense.

Irvine has battled some injuries so far this season, but is starting to get healthy.

“Our entire team is starting to get back to full strength (from injuries),” Ricci said. “We’re getting there trying to get more healthy and healed up by league. It’s perfect timing.

“We don’t have any quit, our guys fight to end, I love it. I like our chances, I like what we have in the tank and we got kids who don’t quit, that’s always a positive when you’re going into league.”

Woodbridge (3-4) opens Pacific Hills League play facing Beckman Friday night at Tustin High.

The Warriors left the field frustrated after losing a fourth quarter lead against Irvine. Penalties and turnovers hurt the Warriors in the loss.

“I want our guys to get better, I want to see them get better,” said Woodbridge Coach Aaron Craver after the game. “We got to try and win league now, we still have three games that count towards playoffs.

“We have some good guys, it’s hard when you lose a game; if you watch that game on film, you don’t see the penalties but if you watch that game in person, you know why we lost it. There were a lot of self-inflicted wounds.

“We got to get better, I’m happy for the Irvine kids, these are memories that they will never forget. I want our kids to have them too. Unfortunately, only one team is leaving here happy so hopefully we can end the season on a happy note.”

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