PHOTOS: Portola scores late touchdown, earns hard-fought victory over Beckman

Portola junior running back Gavin Morrell celebrates with his Bulldogs teammates after scoring midway through the third quarter against Beckman at Northrup Stadium. (PHOTOS: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Over the past decade, Beckman and Portola’s football teams have had numerous memorable battles. 

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

Friday night’s non-league clash at Tustin was no different.

Bulldogs quarterback Orion Suttle tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mason Mapstone with 41 seconds remaining in the game to cap a 16-play, 80-yard scoring drive and propel Portola to a 14-10 victory.

“We worked all week on that play,” said Mapstone, referring to the game-winning touchdown pass that he caught at the 5-yard line and barreled in for the touchdown. “We didn’t score in the first-half but we came out and scored twice in the second-half. I love this team.”

Suttle completed 9 of his 13 pass completions in the game in the second half to spark the Bulldogs (3-1). Portola’s running back Gavin Morrell was a work horse on the final drive, touching the ball seven times for 42 yards.

“It’s an awesome win for us; it was a tough game but we pulled through,” said Morrell, who rushed for 58 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 62 yards. “Our players had a heart-to-heart talk this week and we all spoke up on how we can get better and with this win we have momentum.”

With the game tied at 7-7 early in the fourth quarter, the Patriots (1-3) moved the ball to the Portola 17-yard line and took the lead on Aiden Wimberly’s 34-yard field goal with 8:47 to play.

However, the Bulldogs countered with a scoring drive that burned up over eight minutes off the clock before scoring the go ahead touchdown.  

“We showed discipline and poise tonight,” said Portola Coach Peter Abe, now in his 11th season as the Bulldogs head coach. “We do everything together as a team. We win, we lose and we make mistakes together. Success is earned day in and day out. These guys did what we asked them to do. They fought hard and worked as a team together.”

Beckman took a 7-0 lead late in the opening quarter marching 65 yards in 10 plays.

Junior quarterback Dylan Josue completed a 17-yard TD pass to Xavier Musselman, who out-jumped a Bulldogs’ defender in the end zone and made an outstanding catch for the touchdown. 

Both defenses then took over and dominated for the remainder of the half. Early in the second quarter, Portola put together a 16-play, 60-yard drive, but came up empty.

Suttle’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete at the Patriots 20-yard line and Beckman took over possession of the ball. The Patriots countered with a 10-play, 50-yard drive to the Bulldogs 30-yard line, however Josue’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

Morrell’s 6-yard TD run with 2:05 left in the third quarter tied the score at 7-7. 

Portola’s defense was lead by defensive tackle Caleb Seack and defensive lineman William Acquah.

“We played a discipline football game and it feels goods to win,” said Acquah, a junior who played a huge game and recorded a sack.  

The Beckman defense, led by defensive lineman Skyeler Knight, defensive back Aiden Alvarado, and defensive lineman Nathan Tuttle, also had a stellar game limiting Portola to 31 yards rushing in the opening half. 

“Our defense did a good job on their standard plays but on unscheduled plays, they got to us and we have to fix that,” said Beckman Coach Marcello Giuliano. “Our offense had too many dud plays. Perhaps, that is my fault but we will work on that.”

Josue completed 12 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown pass and Musselman caught five passes for 86 yards and a touchdown to lead Beckman.  

A pregame ceremony was held on the field to commemorate 9-11’s 25th anniversary.

The Orange County Fire Department and Tustin Police Department participated in the proceedings. The Colors were presented by the Tustin American Legion Post 227.

The Tustin Police Department, along with members of the Orange County Fire Authority and first responders served as Honorary Captains for Beckman and and Portola. A Moment of Silence was also held prior to kickoff. Beckman presented all veterans in attendance with a special gift.