Woodbridge football team gets ready for new challenge in Omicron League

Woodbridge gets ready to run a play last season in a league game on campus. (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Woodbridge High School football coach Aaron Craver hopes that a year of experience results in improvement for his Warriors as they prepare to compete in a new league this season.

The Warriors were 1-9 overall and 0-3 in the Pacific Hills League last year.

“I’m hoping that my patience of last year pays off this year,” Craver said. “We were young last year. We stuck with those players. It was a season of growing pains, and we felt it across the board. Our young men and coaches have worked very hard this off-season to prepare our mind and bodies, to make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes of last year.”

Woodbridge will be competing in the Omicron League with Pacifica, University, Portola, Buena Park and Katella as part of a major re-leaguing for most Orange County programs.

“I am excited to see what our new league brings to the table,” Craver said. “We will still be playing familiar faces in our league and our traditional rivals that changed leagues, we will play them in the preseason.”

Woodbridge’s top players are expected to be senior Alijah Bray, defensive/offensive lineman; senior Jovohn Cruz, linebacker/running back; junior Jeremy Harris, defensive line, tight end; junior Karim Almulhim, defensive line/offensive line; senior Adrien Garnica, wide receiver, defensive back; senior Jayden Clayborn, running back/wide receiver and senior Caden Jones, quarterback.

Jones transferred from Mater Dei last year and played the last four games for the Warriors, Craver said.

2024 SCHEDULE

(Home games at University)

Friday, Aug. 23, (H) vs. Calvary Chapel

Friday, Aug. 30, (H) vs. Canyon

Friday, Sept. 6, at Irvine

Friday, Sept. 13, (H) vs. Northwood

Thursday, Sept. 19, at Beckman (Tustin)

League games

Friday, Oct. 4, at Portola

Friday, Oct. 11, at Pacifica (Bolsa Grande)

Friday, Oct. 18, (H) vs. Katella

Friday, Oct. 25, at University

Friday, Nov. 1, at Buena Park

(Another in a series of high school football previews)

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