Portola getting ready for first varsity football season

A look at Portola’s promotional picture celebrating its first varsity season.

Protect the pedigree.

That’s been the motto established for Portola’s football team, which is working hard in preparation for its first varsity game on Friday, Aug. 17. The Bulldogs host Fairmont Prep at Portola.

“This will be the first year playing varsity football for Portola, having opened with freshmen-only in 2016,” said Coach Peter Abe, the former Irvine High standout.

ABOUT PORTOLA FOOTBALL

• COACH: Pete Abe
• COLORS: Purple, black, gray and white
• GRADES: No seniors, freshman, sophomores and juniors
• FIRST GAME: Friday, Aug. 17, home vs. Fairmont Prep
• LEAGUE: Pacific Coast
• HOME STADIUM: Portola, 1001 Cadence Dr., Irvine

“The program has been working hard to take deliberate steps every day, every play to grow as a varsity football program, and develop student-athletes who will rise to the expectations of our Bulldog pedigree,” Abe said

“Having won the 2018 IUSD weightlifting xompetition, the Bulldogs have been working tirelessly the past two years to close the varsity physicality and experience gap to ensure we can compete in the tough Pacific Coast League in 2018.

“Both players, parents, and coaches are excited and encouraged with our progress during the off-season, spring, and summer, and we all look forward to accepting the challenge that is varsity football in the Pacific Coast League.”

MORE PORTOLA FOOTBALL NEWS:

• A look at some of the top players for Portola
• Coach Abe re-unites with former Coach Terry Henigan
• Portola’s first varsity schedule, week by week