May 4, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

OC Sports Zone Kickoff 2019: Irvine football special…photos, previews, schedules

Representing high school football teams in Irvine (from left) Jason Cheng, Beckman; Sam Held, Crean Lutheran; Kaveh Wojtowich, Portola; Max Tipple, Woodbridge; Xavier Cousar, Northwood; Jacob Sears, Irvine and Branton Lucas, University, who gathered Tuesday at Irvine Stadium. (Photos Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

It’s kick-off time for high school football teams and an exciting time for players, coaches and fans.

To see the slideshow, please click on the first photo

Football can bring communities and student bodies together and we plan to highlight teams throughout the county all season with stories and pictures. We also welcome submissions from coaches and team representatives.

Commemorating the start of the season OC Sports Zone has been running previews of some Orange County squads the past two weeks and now presents its second annual OC Sports Zone Kickoff Irvine special edition.

Three Irvine teams will take the field with new coaches this season. Chris Hernandez leads University, Tom Ricci is at Irvine and Paige Nobles is at Northwood.

Woodbridge is out to defend the Pacific Coast League title and take home the Dennis Toohey Fence Post Trophy under Coach Rick Gibson. Coach Peter Abe’s Portola team is ready for its second varsity season.

University will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The first game is Thursday night when Beckman hosts Troy at Tustin High at 7 p.m.

Please visit OC Sports Zone throughout the weekend and during the 2019 season for coverage of Orange County high school football.

Enjoy all the links to our team previews, schedules and features below!

Talented returning players lead Beckman

With more experience Crean Lutheran looks to improve

Irvine hopes to keep winning with new coach and QB

Northwood aiming high with new coach and talented QB

Portola out to ‘protect the pedigree’ in second varsity season

University’s first year coach out to ‘change the culture’

Woodbridge tries to defend PCL title and take Fence Post again

Schedules for week zero Orange County football games

Irvine football team continues tradition with midnight magic

Photos of Woodbridge football team preparing for opener

University’s 50th annual anniversary team to be unveiled

Photos of Woodbridge’s football team at Catalina camp

Irvine starting quarterback Beck Moss has big shoes to fill

Northwood starts fast and wins three summer games

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com