Portola uses strong running game and solid defense to defeat crosstown rival Woodbridge

Portola was led by (from left) Kaden Orosz, Benjamin Aslanian, Kamran Jahromi and Ibeahim Alsuhail in the win over Woodbridge. (Photos: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Portola High School’s football team used a strong running attack and a stubborn defense to defeat Woodbridge 20-0 in a nonleague game Friday night before a homecoming crowd at Portola.

The Bulldogs (4-2) notched their second shutout of the season and fifth consecutive win over the Warriors dating back to 2018.  

Kamran Jahromi and Marcus Sung led Portola’s charge as the duo combined to rush for 214 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs won their fourth game over the past five weeks.

“We really came together as a team tonight and this win will boost our confidence,” said Sung, who carried the ball 19 times for 143 yards and a touchdown. “We’re getting ready to go into conference play and we keep improving each week.”

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

Sung left the game late in the fourth quarter after twisting his ankle following a short run. After the game, he said, ‘I tweaked it a bit, but I’m OK and I won’t miss any action.”   

Jahromi took a handoff on Portola’s second play from scrimmage of the game and raced 70 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, Woodbridge (1-5) appeared to have stopped a Bulldogs drive, forcing a punt. However, the Warriors were flagged for being off side, giving Portola a fourth-and-one. The Bulldogs brought their offense back onto the field and Sung promptly broke off a 50-yard TD run, increasing the Bulldogs lead to 14-0.   

The Portola special teams and defense forced two turnovers in the first-half. The Bulldogs recovered a fumble on a kickoff in the second quarter and later in the period Jahromi intercepted a Woodbridge pass at the Bulldogs 10-yard line, foiling Woodbridge’s best drive of the half.

“I thought our early touchdown and the interception gave us momentum,” said Jahromi. “We played hard tonight.”

Portola outgained Woodbridge in yards 183-79 in the first-half.   

The Bulldogs dominated the clock in the second-half to secure the victory. Portola sustained a drive of nine minutes in the third-quarter and an eight minute in the fourth-quarter. Zain Alzobiedie capped both drives with a 32 and 37-yard field goal respectively.

“We knew they like to run the ball, so we grinded it out in the second half and kept the ball away from them,” said Portola Coach Peter Abe. “That’s how we have to win games. Our offensive line was outstanding (Sami Tawfik, Rylan Mann, Dylan Zagorski, Nohel Abundis, and Ibrahim Alsuhail) and I loved our discipline tonight. This is an inter-city game, it’s a great rivalry and it’s fun to be a part of.”

Despite the loss, Woodbridge Coach Aaron Craver remained upbeat.

“We didn’t sustain drive and that hurt us,” said Craver. “But our guys played hard. We have to keep working on fundamentals and realize that the fundamentals are going to make us successful.”

Warriors running back Tatum Ramos carried the ball 15 times for 57 yards and caught five passes to lead Woodbridge. Jovohn Cruz caught four passes for the Warriors and displayed some hardnosed inside running.   

Senior Portola defensive back Rider Cooper did not play due to a shoulder injury. Coach Abe hopes to have Cooper back in two weeks (next week Portola has a bye).  

—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone