Woodbridge Remains Perfect, 23-0 : Warriors Rout Trabuco Hills in Battle of Undefeated Teams

Woodbridge High School scored in every quarter and limited Trabuco Hills’ potent passing attack to 81 yards, gaining a 23-0 victory Saturday in front of 1,000 in Mission Viejo Stadium.

The game pitted two of the six undefeated teams in Orange County against each other, but it was obvious after one quarter that Trabuco Hills (5-1 overall, 0-1 in league play) was overmatched in the Pacific Coast League opener for both schools.

After only 12 minutes of play, Woodbridge (6-0, 1-0) had gained 141 yards in total offense and had limited Trabuco Hills to 27 yards. Woodbridge dominated on both sides of the line, sacking Mustang quarterback John Barnes four times. Only 19 penalties, totaling 150 yards, against the Warriors kept the game close.

“Excluding the penalties, I thought this was our best game of the year,” said Gene Noji, Woodbridge coach. “We were expecting a dogfight, so I was surprised by the final score. Our defense was real solid overall.”

The Warriors scored the only touchdown they needed in the first quarter with a 74-yard drive. Quarterback Fred Schweer threw a seven-yard pass to tight end P.A. Emerson for the touchdown.

Woodbridge, using its strength on the offensive line, extended its lead to 13-0 just before halftime as running backs Jimmy Burke and John Rios led an effective ground game. Burke scored the Warriors’ second touchdown on a one-yard run and also led the defense at middle linebacker.

Rios was the game’s leading rusher, gaining 83 yards in 13 carries. The Warriors totaled 245 yards rushing.

“We knew they were good,” said Jim Barnett, Trabuco Hills coach. “We had to play some younger guys, and this wasn’t the type of game where you could get away with playing inexperienced kids.

“We couldn’t pass block, and (wide receiver Jeff) Dooley couldn’t get open. They’re a good football team, and it showed today.”

Dooley, a senior, entered the game as the county’s No. 3 receiver with 28 catches for 684 yards and 5 touchdowns. But he rarely got his hands on the ball, and he caught only 2 passes for 20 yards.

“You have to give (cornerback) Derrick Odum credit for shuting down Dooley,” Noji said. “Dooley is a dangerous receiver, and one of our objectives was to hold him down to a respectable number.”

Trabuco Hills’ loss left only four teams in the county with perfect records after six weeks of play. Capistrano Valley, Sunny Hills, Bolsa Grande and Woodbridge are all 6-0.