Northwood opens CIF Division 12 playoffs with 17-10 victory over Rancho Alamitos; faces Laguna Beach next

Northwood’s football players celebrate after Friday’s win over Rancho Alamitos. (Photo courtesy Northwood football).

Northwood’s football team opened the CIF Division 12 playoffs with a 17-10 victory over Rancho Alamitos Friday night at Bolsa Grande.

The Timberwolves (8-3) advance to face No. 2 seeded Laguna Beach (11-2) Friday night at Irvine Stadium. Northwood was making its first CIF playoff appearance since 2014. It’s the first playoff victory for Northwood since 2010.

Northwood trailed 10-3 at halftime against Rancho Alamitos (7-4). But quarterback Jaden Piazza had two touchdown passes in the second half to sophomores Travis Arena and Trey Littlejohn.

Seth Locke had an interception return to the 5-yard line before one of the touchdowns.

Piazza sealed the victory with two quarterback keeper runs and then the Timberwolves took a knee.

Piazza completed 18 of 35 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Locke had nine catches for 109 yards, Littlejohn had four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, Arena had four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown and sophomore running back McCain Mole had four carries for 35 yards.