Football players of the week and a preview of week seven

Woodbridge’s Elyjah Rush celebrates a big play during Friday’s game.

BECKMAN (4-2, 1-0)

Last week’s game: Beckman 37, Portola 13

Offensive players of the week: “Our offensive line performed well again this week,” said Coach Marcello Giuiliano said. “Seniors Bryan Huckleberry and Cayden Seeber and juniors Jed Fernando, Jake Oswald, and Zack Matl have really come together as a unit and are allowing our skilled players to make some plays.”

Defensive player of the week: “Sophomore linebacker Keller Meyer played a good game,” the coach said. “He was solid vs. the Portola passing attack and made some important third down tackles.”

Special teams player of the week: “Junior Luke Song did a great job on our coverage teams and logged two special teams tackles,” Giuliano said.

Coach’s comment:  “It was good to have our full compliment of players this week that enabled us to be a little more balanced between the run and pass offensively. Our defense made some terrific adjustments after Portola scored and our kids settled in to the rhythm of the  game. That said, we need to eliminate costly penalties that lose games at this time of year.

This week’s game: Beckman plays Irvine Friday night at 7 at Irvine Stadium.  “Irvine is the most under-rated team in the league right now,” Giuliano said. “They’ve played a really tough pre-league schedule and their record is not reflective of the quality of the team.  They are blessed with several skilled athletes with speed and ball skills, they have a lot of defensive experience in critical positions, and they are very well coached. We will need to play our best football this week.”

NORTHWOOD (5-1, 1-0)

Last week: Northwood 29, University 12

Offensive players of the week:  Offensive line

Defensive player of the week: Seth Locke, two interceptions for touchdowns.

Special teams player of the week: Jaden Piazza, punter

Coach’s comment: “We know we were in for a real showdown with Uni,” said Coach Pete Mitchell. “We feel fortunate to come out on top.”

This week’s game: Northwood plays Woodbridge Friday night at 7 at University.

WOODBRIDGE (3-3, 1-0)

Last week: Woodbridge 23, Irvine 17

Offensive players of the week: “Elyjah Rush and Jacob Nash both were instrumental to our offensive success,” said Coach Rick Gibson.

Defensive player of the week: “It was our best team effort but Colin Turner led the charge,” Gibson said.

Special teams player of the week: Led by  Jakob Trestik with a field goal and two PAT after being injured last week.

This week: Woodbridge hosts Northwood Friday at 7 p.m. at University.

“Northwood is much improved, 5-1, very dynamic offensively and a solid aggressive defense,” Gibson said. :(We have to) just play well to defeat them.”:

IRVINE (1-5, 0-1)

Last week’s game: Woodbridge 23, Irvine 17.

Offensive player of the week: Bryce Tanikawa had five receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive player of the week: “Tyson Matthews had three tackles for a loss, two sacks and forced two hurries with his relentless pressure,” said Coach Erik Terry.

Special teams player of the week: “Our entire punt team did a great job of protecting and covering to net a 40 yard per punt average with zero return yards against the Warriors dynamic punt return game,” Terry said.

Coach’s comment:  “We felt this was a game against two evenly matched teams,” Terry said. “The difference came down to our committing three turnovers that ended potential scoring drives. Credit to Woodbridge for taking advantage of their opportunities and protecting the football.”

This week’s game:  Irvine hosts Beckman Friday night. “Beckman is a very well coached football team who has a strong running game and a stout defense,” Terry said. “We will have to really limit our mistakes and play sound fundamental football to give ourselves an opportunity to win the game.”

PORTOLA (2-4, 0-1)

Last week’s score: Beckman 37, Portola 13

Co-offensive players of the week: Joseph Kim, junior lineman and  Andrew Gutierrez, sophomore lineman.

Defensive player of the week: Andrew Quiroz, sophomore defensive back.

Top special teams player:  Max Gatti, sophomore lineman.

Coach’s comment: “Playing perhaps our most complete game thus far in all phases, the Bulldogs are getting better,” said Coach Peter Abe. “Round one of the PCL did not turn out the way we wanted, but everyone played hard for four quarters, and we modeled individual excellence at various spots in the game. In the end, hats off to Coach (Marcello) Giuliano and the Patriots, they were the better team last week. Still shaking off the injury bug, but as they say, time heals all wounds, so we look forward to increased consistency of play as our depth continues to improve each week.

This week’s game: Portola hosts University Friday night at 7. The Trojans are an experienced, well coached, and driven team that’s hungry for their first PCL victory.  Great thing about that is… So are the Bulldogs. This match-up should make for some great energy and an exciting environment for PCL round two. Get excited.

TUSTIN (2-4, 1-0)

Last week’s game: Tustin 35, Kennedy 14

Offensive players of the week: Sophomore quarterback Mateo Vasquez and senior WR/RB/DB Mike Mierez. Vasquez was 9 for 11 for 214 yards and a touchdown. Mierez caught three passes for 138 yards and a touchdown to lead the offense.

Defensive player of the week: Senior linebacker Leon Mikaio.  “Leon played extremely well after returning from a nagging injury,” said Coach Myron Miller.

Special teams player of the week: Junior kicker Miguel Ochoa was 5-for-5 on PAT’s this week.

Coach’s comment: “It’s always good to win your homecoming game,” said Coach Miller. “I thought we were really balanced on offense with over 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing.  We’re also starting to get some guys back from injury and we’ve been the healthiest we’ve been since week one.

This week: Tustin plays at Valencia Friday night. “We’ll need all of our guys in our game this week at Valencia High School this Friday, Miller said. “Valencia, as always, is well coached and physical, but we’re looking forward to the opportunity to play and compete for an Empire League title.”

UNVERSITY (1-5, 0-1)

Last week: Northwood 29, University 12.

Offensive player of the game: Eddie Castillo

Defensive player of the week: Salah Balkis

Special teams player of the week: Jet Jue

Coach’s comment: “We played our best game last week however Northwood made a few more big plays than we did and that was the difference in the game,” said Coach Scott Meyer.

This week: University plays at Portola.  “We need to put together our best game yet against a Portola team that has been improving every week,” Meyer said.

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