University coach Scott Meyer will lead his team into tonight’s game with Woodbridge. (Photo Fernando M. Donado, for OC Sports Zone).
PRESS BOX COLUMN, By Tim Burt
It’s been a very tough year for University’s football team and first-year head coach Scott Meyer.
But Meyer, who had a very successful run at Corona del Mar, seems to be handling the adversity OK.
Meyer got some glimpses of solid play from his team early against Irvine last week, but the Vaqueros were too tough, winning the PCL game 29-12.
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University brings a 2-6 overall record and 1-2 league mark into tonight’s game with Woodbridge, which is heavily favored to win and wrap up its first league title since 1988.
Despite the struggles, Meyer insists he is proud of his team and still remains positive.
“I want the kids to have success,” he said after last week’s loss. “Obviously there is stuff where I would have liked for us to be better but we’re improving and kind of establishing the program. We have a lot of young guys out there. I looked out a couple times and we had seven underclassmen on defense and some real young offensive line guys so we’re just going to keep working and I think the future is bright.
“We’re seeing progress for sure which I think is the biggest thing. These guys are out here working so hard each day. I want them to taste victory.”
University will be the designated visiting team for tonight’s game and the Trojans will try and be the spoilers.
“Woodbridge is a rivalry game, so we will get our guys fired up,” Meyer said. “I won’t have to do much of that. They will be ready to come out and battle Woodbridge.
If Woodbridge defeats University tonight, the Warriors will win the league title and accept the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy right after the game. That’s always a wild scene.
Once again Thursday night, parking at Tustin’s district stadium was a major parking problem for the Beckman-Northwood football game because there were two events going on, a football game and a school function for Tustin High. The parking lot at Tustin was filled up a half hour before the game. Fans wanting to get into the game had to drive around in their cars hoping they could find a spot somewhere else.
This is a problem that Tustin School District officials refuse to address, but need to. There is typically no street parking available and there is no alternative, which isn’t fair for fans and no one is there to help direct fans to other areas. We noticed one lot which had the buses, which could have easily been used but it was locked up.
It’s time the problem be addressed. We don’t notice this problem at any other venue except Tustin High, where Foothill, Beckman and Tustin play. And it’s not the first time either.
At University, when the lots fill up, cars are directed into a back-up parking area near the baseball field. There is also back-up parking at Irvine Stadium. So, it is possible to come up with a solution.
Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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