Strong effort by Abdullah and the defense fuels Beckman’s 24-12 PCL victory over Northwood

Beckman’s Parsa Panahi sacks Northwood quarterback Jaden Piazza Thursday night. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman)

Beckman’s football team was up against a wall, most likely needing a victory Thursday night to advance to the CIF playoffs.

The Patriots responded, defeating Northwood 24-12 in a Pacific Coast League game at Tustin.

Beckman’s defense had five interceptions, two by Jacob Kissling.

“Everything starts with our defense,” said Beckman Coach Marcello Giuliano. “And then we try and run the ball and put points on the board to support them and play field position. It always starts with defense.”

Omar Abdullah led the way with 190 yards rushing and two touchdowns and he also had an interception.

“He has really grown into not just a great senior leader but a workhorse for the team,” Giuliano said. “The O-Line played really well and we got some great blocks out of Jett Daviss who went in and played fullback. He’s used to carrying the ball. That was a great team play for him to get in and play fullback.”

Beckman (5-4, 2-2) is in the hunt for the second playoff berth in the league. The Patriots play at University next Friday.

“I have no idea what the Division 11 picture looks like,” Giuliano said. “I know Irvine was third last year and didn’t get in so there are no guarantees. This week was just a must win but then again, we’re a must win again next week against Uni and then the football Gods have to smile upon us in Division 11. Every week is win or go home.”

Beckman took a 7-0 lead when quarterback Jason Cheng connected with Aiden Fordyce on an 8-yard TD pass in the first quarter.

Then Cheng connected with Abdullah on a 27-yard TD pass to make it 14-0. Northwood cut the lead to 14-6 when quarterback Jaden Piazza threw a 1-yard TD pass to Luke Demaio. The Timberwolves (6-3, 2-2) then made it 14-12 when Piazza connected with Luke Demaio on a 67-yard TD pass.

But Abdullah scampered 67 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter and Jamar Coleman hit a 31-yard field goal late in the third quarter to make it 24-12.

Tanner Buck started at quarterback for Northwood and passed for 14 yards with two interceptions. Piazza passed for 201 yards and two touchdowns but threw three interceptions. Beckman held Northwood to 79 yards rushing.

“We didn’t play very well obviously, a lot of turnovers,” said Northwood Coach Pete Mitchell. “We have a lot of inexperience and it showed. It was a big game and we didn’t play very well. But we do have one more chance. We have to beat Irvine (next Friday at Irvine). So we’re going to have a real good week of practice and hopefully we can come back.”

Northwood’s top offensive player and a leader on defense Seth Locke did not play in the first half, but played in the second half and had three receptions for 33 yards.

“He had to sit out the first half,” Mitchell said. “It was just a team rule but we handled it well and he’s still a very big leader for us. As you can see at the end, he was giving his speech (after the game to players). “Everything is good.”

                              STATS

NORTH              00      06    06    00    –  12

BECK                  07      07   10     00    –  24

RUSHING: North Piazza 5-30; Kim 5-28; Beck Abdullah 21-190, Cheng 7-37.

PASSING: North Buck 3-9-2, 14 yards, Piazza 11-24-3, 201 yards, 2 TDs.

RECEIVING: North Locke 3-33, Arena 2-56; Beck Abdullah 1-27, Hill 2-13

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com