Top football players and a look ahead to this week’s games

Northwood’s football team, coached by Pete Mitchell, opens Pacific Coast League play Friday night at University.

NORTHWOOD (4-1)

Last week: Northwood 51, Cerritos 20

Top offensive player: Seth Locke, had a share in five touchdowns and two extra points.

Top defensive player:  Xavier Cousar

Top special teams player:  Myles Carter

This week: Northwood plays at University Friday night in the PCL opener. “We are looking forward to see how we can compete in a very tough league, starting off against a well coached University team that we haven’t beat in a while,” said Coach Pete Mitchell.

BECKMAN (3-2)

Last week’s score: Beckman 24, Esperanza 0

Top offensive player: Senior running back Omar Abdullah, 126 yards rushing and one TD, 50 yards receiving on four catches

Top defensive player: “Junior outside linebacker Blake Parker played his best game,” said Coach Marcello Giuliano. “He really improved his physicality in taking on blocks and setting the edge of our defense, enabling our pursuit to get ball carriers on the ground.

Special teams: “Kicker Jamar Coleman had a terrific night punting that kept the Aztecs in poor field position,” the coach said.

Coach’s comment: “Our defense played really solid, creating three turnovers and keeping Esperanza scoreless on two Red Zone drives,” Coach Giuliano said.  “Dylan Somoza’s interception to end the first half enabled us to keep a little momentum even though we had scored only three points. The offense squandered a couple of good scoring opportunities in the first half, but improved in the second. We did a reasonably good job possessing the football, but we need to be able to finish drives more productively at times.”

This week: Beckman hosts Portola Thursday, Sept. 27 at Tustin, in the PCL opener: “Portola is a very well coached and aggressive team,” the coach said. “They will be healthy and fresh off the bye week, and I know they will have a great plan to disrupt and attack us. We will need to play great defense to keep up with their tempo and misdirection, and we need to improve our execution on offense to handle their size and speed on defense. The new league alignment promises to be great fun since all these kids and coaches are familiar with each other.

UNIVERSITY (1-4)

Last week: Segerstrom 64, University 20.

Offensive player of the week: Thomas Keeling, 198 yards passing.

Defensive player of the week:  Daniel Fernandez, 65-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Special teams player of the week: Ali Berri, averaged 41 yards per punt

This week: University hosts Northwood Friday at 7 p.m. in the Pacific Coast League opener. “We are excited to open league play against a good Northwood team and are looking to play a complete game in front of a great homecoming crowd,” said Coach Scott Meyer.

IRVINE (1-4)

Last week: Orange 52,  Irvine 15

Offensive player of the week: Marc Filia, 157 yards passing and 58 yards rushing.

Defensive player of the week: Ethan Shank, 24 tackles

Special teams player of the week: Jacob Haley, four kick-off returns for 90 yards

Coach’s comment: “Orange was a very physical football team that really tested us on the offensive and defensive lines,” said Coach Erik Terry. “Although the score may not indicate it we did improve in certain areas of our game and playing an opponent like them helped our team.”

“We are excited to begin PCL play this week and feel like our preseason schedule helped us build the foundation we need to compete week in and week out.  Woodbridge as usual has a bevy of play makers on offense and an aggressive defense to contend with. Coach (Rick) Gibson always has the Warriors prepared for this game and we are expecting an exciting night at Irvine Stadium for the 35th edition of this rivalry.”

FOOTHILL (1-4) 

Last week’s score: Canyon 14, Foothill 0.

Top offensive player: Roman Pistone, 100 yards on 18 carries.

Top defensive player: Zack Yourstone, 15 tackles, one for a loss and one sack.

Coach’s comment: “Both offenses struggled to move the ball against each other’s defense,” said Coach Doug Case. “The Knights offense didn’t capitalize when they had good field position and made too many mistakes that made the second half difficult to compete in. Injuries are beginning to take a toll with this young team. Tough loss, but defense played great and hopefully will continue to. Two more games until league play.”

This week: Foothill faces Villa Park Thursday night at El Modena.
“The Knights have a huge task in dealing with Villa Park,”  Case said. “Short week, so we will be prepared the best we can and compete.”

Note: Portola, Crean Lutheran, Tustin and Woodbridge had byes.