Irvine and Yorba Linda football teams battle it out in spring scrimmage

Players from Yorba Linda (left) and Irvine get together after a scrimmage this week. (Photo courtesy Irvine football).

Irvine and Yorba Linda high school football teams, both coming off 10-0 regular seasons, met this week in a scrimmage at Yorba Linda and it appears the event was beneficial for both teams.

“The scrimmage was great,” said Irvine Coach Tom Ricci. “We got a lot of good work. Every single player on my team was able to take at least some reps with a varsity unit, a JV unit and a linemen competition.

“Yorba Linda is tough. Their studs on the line gave us everything we can handle. They are very well coached were a good test for us.  Coach (Jeff) Bailey has done a fantastic job with them and we have the same philosophy about 7 on’s;  we both believe that we are here to make each other better, not to show each other up.

“Our players are respectful to one another and realize that we are helping each other reach a higher purpose.  We aren’t looking for seven on seven trophies, we are looking for league and CIF trophies. It’s all about teaching. It’s awesome to work with such like minded programs.”

Bailey, the Yorba Linda coach, said it was the second year in a row his team has faced Irvine.

“It has been really good to get work with them because they run it like how they would during the year,” he said. “They are well coached and we definitely get better by working against them. It was a good day and we got some good film the teach off of also. Look forward to going to their place in a couple weeks.” 

Yorba Linda opens the season on Friday, Aug. 19 at Damien. Irvine opens play on Friday, Aug. 19 vs. Portola at Irvine Stadium.

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