PHOTOS: Beckman opens league play with victory over Uni improving mark to 7-1

Beckman’s Blake Fleming is tackled by Brooks Beckmann of University after a gain Friday night.  (Photos courtesy of @ttownsportspics on Instagram).

Senior quarterback Austin Shepard accounted for three touchdowns leading Beckman High School’s football team to a 31-7 victory over University Friday night in a Pacific Hills League opener at Tustin.

Beckman hosts Irvine Thursday night in a battle for first place in the league at Tustin. Irvine defeated Woodbridge 13-9 Friday night.

Blake Fleming opened the scoring for Beckman (7-1, 1-0) with a 17-yard run in the first quarter. Fleming had 68 yards on 15 carries.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Beckman QB Austin Shepard sprints for a gain against Uni.

University's Luke Edwards returns a kick-off ns Zayne Lee of Beckman defends.

Dominic Thompson of Beckman is pursued by Ryan Shabbak of University.

Jai Williams of University leaps over a teammate for a gain.

Jesus Nava of Beckman applies pressure to Uni QB Koa Saito.

Beckman's defense puts pressure on Uni QB Khoa Saito.

Jai Williams tries to get past Beckman's Zak Hazboun.

Late in the first quarter, Shepard scored on a 54-yard keeper to put Beckman up 14-0. Shepard had 131 yards of total offense, 69 on the ground and 62 in the air.

Midway through the second quarter University running back Jai Williams scored on a 14-yard run to cut the deficit to 14-7. Williams was the game’s leading rusher with 18 runs for 104 yards.

Shepard scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and hit Sean O’Rourke on a 27-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter.  Gui De Luca made a 24-yard field goal in the final period.

Beckman had 286 yards of total offense, 224 on the ground. Sophomore Zayne Lee was Beckman’s leading rusher with four carries for 71 yards.

University (3-5, 0-1) had 164 yards of total offense, 98 running and 66 passing.  The Trojans actually had more first downs (14) than the Patriots (13).

—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone