Prep Football : Short Pass Backfires on Irvine in a Big Way

It was a play that gives coaches headaches, second-guessers something to talk about and a school the bragging rights to the city.

It was a play that turned the momentum in Woodbridge High School’s 27-7 victory over crosstown rival Irvine Friday night in front of an overflow crowd of 3,800 in Irvine Stadium.

And, finally, it was a play that gave Woodbridge the Fence Post Trophy, a tacky-looking stump post symbolic of the city of Irvine’s best football team.

The play came as time was expiring in the first half with Irvine apparently going nowhere. The Vaqueros had moved to midfield with 3 seconds remaining and there was just enough time for 1 more play.

Dave Lincoln, Irvine quarterback, tried to throw a short sideline pass but the soft throw never reached its intended receiver. Instead, Ryan Nash, Woodbridge cornerback, intercepted the pass at his own 39-yard line and raced 61 yards untouched down the right sideline for a touchdown.

By the time Nash reached the end zone, the scoreboard clock showed no time remaining. More importantly, it showed Woodbridge had taken a 13-7 lead and a hardy dose of momentum in what had been a very close game.

“The interception broke their backs,” said Rick Gibson, Woodbridge coach. “It gave us a big lift in the locker room and the incentive in the second half.”

Rick Curtis, Irvine co-coach, claimed responsibility for the errant pass.

“The interception took the wind out of our sails,” Curtis said. “I take all the responsibility for that one. It hurt us, and it was tough to come back.”

Irvine (3-1) opened a 7-0 lead in the first quarter as Woodbridge quarterback Fred Schweer struggled at the outset. Schweer missed his opening 5 passes, but the senior settled down midway through the second quarter and was on target the remainder of the game.

Schweer completed 17 of 25 pass attempts for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also ran 2 yards for another touchdown as Woodbridge (4-0) won its eighth consecutive game over the past 2 seasons, the longest winning streak in Orange County.

Schweer completed 8 straight passes at 1 point and threw to 6 different receivers. Running back Scott Seymour caught 6 passes for 37 yards and wide receiver Alex Zaldivar caught 4 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown.

“I was a little nervous at the start,” Schweer said. “It was a big game and I guess I was little too pumped up. Our line gave me great protection and I started feeling real comfortable in the second quarter.”

Woodbridge, which has allowed only 25 points in 4 games, received another fine defensive effort. The Warriors allowed only 44 yards passing and recorded 3 quarterback sacks. Woodbridge also limited Irvine’s potent Delaware wing-T to only 69 yards rushing in the second half.