PHOTOS: Beckman football team looks to compete for league title after fast start

Patriots QB Austin Shephard hands the ball off to running back Makhi Czaykowski during Friday’s game. (Photos courtesy of @ttownsportspics on Instagram).

Beckman High School’s football team, off to one of the best starts in program history with a 6-1 record, opens Pacific Hills League play Friday, hosting University at Tustin.

“We’re obviously really pleased with how the season has gone so far,” Coach Marcello Giuliano said. “The strange part, though, is that with league starting so late in the season we still haven’t made strides toward our ultimate goal of competing for the league title and getting into the playoffs to make a run there.

“There’s so much left to strive for that we aren’t spending too much time thinking about how the season has played out to this point.”

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

CJ Bertoni of Portola heads to the end zone for a TD.

Sean O'Rourke of Beckman goes up to make a catch.

Blake Fleming of Beckman tries to get past Portola's Ron Ori. No. 10 is CJ Bertoni.

The Patriots finished non-league play rallying for a 21-14 victory over Portola. Beckman also had non-league victories over Santa Ana Valley, Bolsa Grande, San Bernardino, Azusa and Loara with their only loss to Pacific Coast League favorite Laguna Hills, 41-21 on Friday, Nov. 8.

“Our offense has been a very significant driver of our success. Our O-line has been really solid, Austin Shepard has been consistently effective at QB and we have a handful of receivers and running backs who have all taken turns making huge plays for us,” Giuliano said.

“(The) defense has been solid, led by Drexel Gibson at defensive end, CJ Bertoni at linebacker and Sean O’Rourke at cornerback, all of whom are the production leaders at their respective positions.

“We are really excited for the challenges that the next three weeks bring; we know how athletic and well-coached the league opponents are and we need to continue to stay the course each day in practice.”

In the victory over Portola sophomore running back, Makhi Czaykowski led the way, rushing for 90 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. He also had four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.

CJ Beroni had a TD run for the Patriots.

“Defense was lead by free safety Nick Molina, who led the team in production with eight total tackles, including a huge third down tackle for loss in the fourth quarter,” Giuliano said.

Beckman’s two other league games are Thursday, Oct. 19 vs. Irvine at Tustin and Friday, Oct. 27 vs. Woodbridge at University.

Coach Peter Abe’s Portola team (4-3) opens Pacific Coast League play Friday vs. Northwood at Irvine Stadium. The Bulldogs also host Dana Hills on Friday, Oct. 20 and finish league play at Laguna Hills on Friday, Oct. 27.

Beckman and Portola are in different leagues within the Pacific Coast Conference.

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