May 20, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

It was quite an opening week; now we get ready for more exciting football

Northwood football players celebrate after last week’s victory.

What week that was for high school football.

It was officially called zero week but there were plenty of thrills for local fans, including victories for Portola (in its first ever varsity game), Woodbridge, Northwood, Crean Lutheran and Beckman.

We hope you get a chance to check out our post-game reports of Irvine and Tustin games in which you will find quotes from coaches and players of the week.

Now, it’s on to week one and every local team is in action.

Some good games tonight with Northwood hosting Los Osos at Irvine Stadium and Crean Lutheran hosting Saddleback Valley Christian at Portola.

We’ve also got coverage of two undefeated teams, Ocean View and Los Amigos, who will be playing at Garden Grove tonight.

Then on Friday, there are some good games too with Woodbridge, University, Irvine, Beckman and Portola all playing.

We can’t be everywhere with a small staff, but we will provide updates on the games on our score ticker, which is atop the site. Please check tonight and Friday for that.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo.

TUSTIN VS. FOOTHILL FRIDAY NIGHT

Tustin and Foothill renew their football rivalry Friday night.

This is usually a very close game, although Tustin won last year 48-10.

It’s an intense rivalry but the two coaches, Doug Case of Foothill and Myron Miller of Tustin, are good friends and have a lot of respect for each other.

Tustin is the home team this year. Foothill leads the series 29-24-2.

The team will be playing for a trophy, which used to be the Gauntlet, Now, it’s known as the Crosstown Rivalry Trophy, according to Tustin Athletic Director Tom Giebe.

Tickets are on sale at each school and will be available before the game, Giebe said.

You should plan on arriving early. The stands will be packed for this one.

TOUGH SCHEDULE FOR WOODBRIDGE

Woodbridge’s football team has one of its toughest pre-season schedules. The Warriors topped Cypress 35-14 last week and this week the Warriors take on El Modena, the defending Division 7 champions.

Also coming up are games against Fountain Valley, Santa Ana and Pacifica.

“It’s going to prepare us for league,” said Woodbridge Coach Rick Gibson. “Sometimes, when you play teams of lesser quality, when you get to league sometimes it’s really difficult to get things rolling.”

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

IRVINE POST-GAME: A look back and players of the week

TUSTIN POST-GAME: Review and the players of the week