Westminster running back Alim Hopwood gains yards as he stiff arms Woodbridge’s Lucas Da Cruz during the third quarter of Friday night’s Lambda League matchup in Boswell Field. (PHOTOS: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).
Westminster used ball control and a dominating running attack to defeat Woodbridge 26-15 in a Lambda League football game Friday night at Westminster.
Back-up quarterback Nate Bernal and running back Alim Hopwood both rushed for more than 100 yards enabling to the Lions to capture third-place in league and secure an automatic CIF playoff berth for the first time since the 2023 season.
To see the slide show, click on the first photo:
Timothy Sullivan (7), Waylon Stone (2), and
Michael Campbell (3) walk over to the center of the field for the coin toss.
“We have the right group of guys to make a run in the playoffs,” said Bernal, who replaced injured quarterback Tyler Sahachaisere who didn’t play due to a foot injury.”
Bernal rushed for 132 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown. He also completed six passes for 60 yards.
Hopwood had an outstanding game, rushing for 121 yards on 20 carries and scoring two touchdowns.
“I have to be honest, it was the offensive lineman (Ethan Callejas, Jesus Garcia, Alex Gomez, Angel Ramirez, Ian Chacon, and tight end Paul Cruz) who kept pushing,” said Hopwood. “They were so efficient. I saw the holes and hit it.”
The Lions took the opening kickoff and marched 78 yards in 15 plays to take an early lead.
Westminster was aided by three successful fourth-down play conversions to keep its drive alive. Hopwood scored on a 1-yard run to cap the drive and give the Lions a 7-0 lead. The scoring drive took nearly 10 minutes.
On their first possession, the Warriors moved the ball deep into Westminster territory but a costly penalty and a sack foiled their momentum and Woodbridge turned the ball over on downs.
The Lions then went on a 13-play drive that took up 8:40 and it ended with Bernal scoring on a 3-yard TD run, upping Westminster’s lead to 14-0 at halftime.
The Lions ran 28 plays to the Warriors 10 plays in the first half and out-gained Woodbridge 149-34.
“Our defense couldn’t get off the field,” said Warriors Coach Connor McBride. “They controlled the time of possession and the ball and that wasn’t good for us.”
Westminster went on another long drive that ate up almost eight minutes in the third quarter. Hopwood capped that drive with a three-yard TD run that gave the Lions a 20-0 lead with 2:58 to play in the third quarter.
“It was excellent team work throughout the game with everyone contributing,” said Lions offensive lineman Ian Chacon.
The Warriors countered with a touchdown pass from Waylon Stone to Ryan Dumont, trimming the lead to 20-7 late in the quarter.
However, the Lions answered back with a Xavier Ramirez three-yard touchdown run that made it 26-15 with 9:35 to play.
Stone tossed a second TD pass, this time to Greyson Chandler, but it was too little too late.
“The key was that we stayed focused and played our type of football,”said Westminster Coach Alex De Giacomo. “Our offensive line had a great game and now we get ready to start on the third part of our season, the playoffs.”
Despite not being on the field as they are used to, Stone still completed 11 passes for 144 yards and two TDs. Dumont caught six passes for 120 yards and a touchdown for the Warriors, who are eligible for an at-large berth in the playoffs with three wins.
More Stories
WEEK 10: Friday night high school football final scores for Orange County teams
Portola survives Esperanza’s late comeback, clinches automatic CIF playoff berth
Thursday night high school football final scores for Orange County teams