Desert-Mountain Conference : Stingy Woodbridge Stops Bell-Jefferson Cold, 14-6

Woodbridge High School showed what the meaning of the word defense is as it completely shut down Bell-Jefferson’s offense and went on to beat the Guards, 14-6, Friday night at Irvine Stadium in a first-round playoff game.

The Warriors (9-2), who were knocked out of the playoffs by La Quinta in the first round last year, limited the Guards to only five first downs and 76 yards total offense.

Woodbridge Coach Gene Noji had to do some shuffling late in the first quarter as all-purpose running back David Townsend went out of the game with an achilles strain. Townsend is expected to be ready for next week’s game against Atascadero.

Warrior quarterback Eric Brougher had an outstanding night as he completed 10 of 18 passes for 109 yards and played a part in Woodbridge’s first touchdown.

On second down from the Guard’s 15-yard line, Brougher connected with Dax Jordan on fly pattern for the TD with 3:26 left in the first quarter. It was the only scoring in the first half.

The Warriors held the Guards to only 28 yards in the first half and sacked quarterback Keith FitzGerald seven times.

On Woodbridge’s first possession of the second half, Brougher dove over from the one-yard line on a quarterback sneak to put Woodbridge in command, 14-0.

Bell-Jefferson (8-3) scored its only touchdown when FitzGerald found wide receiver Bill Brockway open in the left corner of the end zone for a 13-yard scoring pass.

“Our defense has been super the last two weeks,” Noji said. “We didn’t know much about Bell-Jeff, but this first playoff victory pleases us.”

Woodbridge’s defense held the Guards to minus 20 yards rushing.