Uni stays in playoff chase with key league win over Woodbridge on senior night and homecoming

University coaches join the Trojan seniors before the game with Woodbridge on senior night. (Photos courtesy Daryl Bogard).

Woodbridge had more yards from scrimmage (329 vs. 268) and more first downs (18 vs. 16), but on senior night and homecoming, University prevailed 35-13 in a Pacific Hills League game capitalizing on four Warrior turnovers which it converted into two touchdowns.

Twenty-one seniors on the team were honored before the game.

University (4-5, 1-1) kept its CIF playoff hopes alive with the win. The Trojans finish the regular season Friday at Irvine Stadium vs. Irvine, which has already clinched a share of the league title.

Uni could share the league title with Irvine (6-3, 2-0) and Beckman (7-2, 1-1) if it can pull off an upset over the Vaqueros. Irvine has already defeated Uni and Beckman. It appears there could also be a logjam for second place and the other automatic CIF playoff berth.

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

Two teams are guaranteed trips to the CIF playoffs, but squads could also be selected as at-large squads based on their overall records.

In the CIF playoff bulletin, teams with .500 records get first shot at the at-large spots but if there are not enough to fill the field, below .500 teams are considered.

Beckman is 1-1 and Woodbridge is 1-8 overall and 0-2 in league. Beckman plays Woodbridge at Uni Friday.

University stayed in the hunt led by senior quarterback Blaine Anderson, who threw for two fourth down touchdowns and ran for another while netting 167 yards of total offense.

Senior Zephyr Reynolds caught a first quarter 29-yard TD pass, blocked an extra point attempt in the second quarter and registered a 45-yard scoop and score in the third quarter.

Down 7-0 in the first quarter, Woodbridge countered with a 10-yard scoring pass from Caden Jones to Mikey Rubino to even the score.  Rubino had five catches for 98 yards and Jones passed for 194.

Woodbridge went ahead 13-7 midway through the second quarter on a 9-yard TD pass from Jones to Ayden McKay.

The Trojans quickly countered with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to Jonathan Soto to take the lead for good. Just before half Trojan defensive lineman Richard Bines following after a sack and fumble recovery.

Woodbridge running back Tatum Ramos ran the ball 11 times for 93 yards while University senior Jai Williams rushed 11 times for 75 yards, all in the first half. 

It was Uni’s first win over Woodbridge since 2011.

—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone (Tim Burt also contributed)