Woodbridge continues post-season surge with win in quarterfinals

Daniel Goodrich (left) and Feiamma Armstrong led the Warriors to a victory Friday. (Photos Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

At one point in the season, Woodbridge football players didn’t even know if they would advance to the CIF playoffs.

Now, the Warriors are one step away from reaching the CIF Division 12 game.

Woobridge punched a ticket to the semifinals next week, defeating Rosemead 48-14 Friday night in the quarterfinals at University. Woodbridge (5-7) will face Quartz Hill (8-4) on the road in the semifinals. Woodbridge is in the semifinals for the first time since 2017.

“Our guys are resilient said first-year coach Aaron Craver. “Guys were unsure last week, we struggled a little bit because the team we played was a real tough team and had a tough offense. This week, we came in with a little more confidence and the execution was phenomal for offense and defense. We just played a great game.”

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Woodbridge was led by Feiamma Armstrong, who rushed for 101 yards on 19 carries and had TD runs of 1 and 2 yards and Daniel Goodrich who had four catches for 67 yards and scored two touchdowns, one on a TD catch and another on a 44-yard punt return that put Woodbridge ahead 34-7 late in the third quarter.

Goodrich also had an interception in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

“The last two weeks of practice have been really on it,” said Goodrich. “We had the best weeks of practice we’ve had. We’re finally starting to click as an offense and a defense and as a team. It feels really good.”

Sophomore quarterback Edward Ma also had a solid game for the Warriors passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

One of the catches was hauled in by Dereck Moore for a 35-yard TD in the third quarter. Moore had two catches for 74 yards.

Sajun Nappoly also had a 10-yard TD run and Garrett O’Neal capped the scoring when he intercepted a pass and returned it 18 yards for aTD late in the game.

“Goodrich, Armstrong, the line and our young quarterback is taking his lumps while learning at the same time which is great and I’m happy for the seniors that had to go through the pandemic their junior year and getting a chance to go far,” Craver added. “Five or six weeks ago, we were thinking we might not make the playoffs, this is not fun. Now, they’re having fun. I’m proud of them.”

Rosemead (6-6) was led by quarterback Damian Martinez who passed for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

He connected with Anthony Ochoa on a 5-yard TD pass in the second quarter to tie the game, but Woodbridge was in control after that. The Warriors led 14-7 at halftime and broke the game open outscoring Rosemead 20-0 in the third quarter.

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