Defending CIF champion Woodbridge begins week-long acclimation period

Woodbridge quarterback Waylon Stone holds the CIF championship plaque after the victory over Montebello in the finals. (FILE PHOTO: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Woodbridge’s football team, coming off a CIF championship season, was back on the field Monday preparing for the 2026 season with high hopes.

The Warriors, led by second-year coach Connor McBride, are among the Orange County high school football teams going through the CIF required acclimation period.

Teams will be in shorts, practice jerseys and helmets through Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, helmets and shoulder pads will be allowed.

Full contact will be allowed Saturday.

“We are excited to start fall camp, get into pads, and play some real football,” McBride said Sunday. “These next three weeks are all about growing as a team, preparing for the pre-season, and getting used to the busy schedule and workload that the fall entails. We feel ahead of where we were last year schematically, but know that we have a ton of work ahead of us these next three weeks. We are fired up.”

While fond memories of 2025 remain, McBride said he is focusing on the current season. The Warriors open up Friday, Aug. 21 vs. Portola at University.

Woodbridge defeated Montebello to captured the CIF Division 13 crown last season. Woodbridge, which finished 7-9 overall, lost to Redding 16-0 in the CIF State Division 7-AA championship game at Fullerton but earned the CIF South regional championship.

“We are very proud of our second half push last season ending in a CIF championship,” McBride said. “However, we are looking ahead to the 2026 season. We have a really young and fresh team who has a lot to prove. We are in the process of creating a new identity for this season’s team. The Woodbridge community is fired up over last season, which we are definitely using to our advantage. We are looking forward to making them proud again this 2026 season.”   

Woodbridge is expected to be led by sophomore quarterback Waylon Stone, junior middle linebacker Timothy Sullivan, junior center Sebastian Guevara, senior lineman Alex Harris and junior cornerback/wide receiver Lucas Da Cruz.

McBride has scheduled games with four Irvine teams during non-league play.

“Our goals start with having a strong pre-season,” he said. “We purposely scheduled all four Irvine {school district) teams in the pre-season, which brings excitement and bragging rights to the schools and their players. A major goal of our’s each year is to win league. We are in a higher league this season with some historically successful teams. We are excited to step up to the challenge and prove ourselves. Lastly, to make the CIF playoffs and make a deep and memorable run for the 2026 Warrior football team.”  

As part of the Orange County two-year releaguing cycle, Woodbridge has been moved up to the Lambda League which also includes Calvary Chapel, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Sonora and Valencia.

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