Changes are coming as PCL rivals Beckman and Portola open football season on week zero

Beckman captains come out for the coin flip in a game last season. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

It will be a new look for the Pacific Coast Conference when the football season kicks off in August. As part of releaguing, Laguna Hills and Dana Hills come on board to join the six teams from Irvine.

How new?

For one, Beckman will open the season with a week zero game against PCL rival Portola on Friday, Aug. 21. Beckman will be the home team and the game will be at Tustin High.

“The new Pacific Coast football conference has eight teams divided into two leagues: Dana Hills, Laguna Hills, Portola and Northwood in one, and Beckman, Irvine, Woodbridge and University in the other,” said Beckman Coach Marcello Giuliano.

“The schools agreed that teams will play everybody in the conference: four intra-conference games and three league games. The three league games will determine league placement, and therefore playoff seeding.”

Giuliano said that he and Portola Coach Peter Abe agreed to the week zero game.

“That gives us both a week seven bye week, just before the start of league play, which is a benefit,” Giuliano said “But the zero week game between Beckman and Portola will also be an exciting way to kick off the season: an intense, competitive, (Dennis Toohey) Fence Post series game right out of the gates.”

BECKMAN’S SCHEDULE

Aug. 21, vs. Portola (home)

Aug. 28, at Bolsa Grande

Sept. 4, vs. Santiago (home)

Sept. 11, at Valley Christian

Sept. 18, vs. Northwood (home)

Sept. 24, vs. Laguna Hills (home)

Oct. 2, at Dana Hills

Oct. 16, at University

Oct. 23, at Irvine

Oct 30, vs. Woodbridge