Woodbridge Comes Back in a Rush to Defeat Newport Harbor

After spinning its wheels for one half, the Woodbridge football team finally kicked it into gear and ran all over Newport Harbor Thursday night.

The Warriors, needing a victory to clinch a playoff berth, rallied in the second half for a 27-10 victory in front of 3,500 at Irvine High School. They spotted the Sailors 10 points, then came up with one big play after another to win going away.

The victory assures the Warriors (6-2-1, 3-1-1 in league) of at least a second-place finish in the Sea View League. They could also wind up with the league title if Corona del Mar defeats Tustin tonight.

Newport Harbor, which was coming off an emotional victory over Tustin, came into the game tied for the league lead and left the game in limbo. The Sailors (6-4, 3-2) not only are out of the title race, but need a Saddleback loss to University tonight in order to qualify for the playoffs.

For a little more than a half, the Sailors appeared on the verge of their first league championship since 1985. A 30-yard field goal by Gregg Kaiser gave them a 10-0 lead with 8 minutes 16 seconds left in the third quarter.

On the following kickoff, Bob Lee fielded it at the 12, then handed off to Edwards at the 20. Edwards slipped through one tackler, beat everyone to the outside and went 80 yards for the touchdown.

“We needed something to get us going and Edwards provided it,” Woodbridge Coach Rick Gibson said. “He’s an electrifying player.”

Woodbridge’s offense spent much of the first half self-destructing. The Warriors gained 224 total yards in the first half, but trailed, 7-0.

However, in the third quarter, things began to click. The Warriors went 69 yards on their first possession of the second half, with Edwards gaining 35 yards in six carries.

James Wyatt threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Scott Coker to give Woodbridge the lead. Wyatt completed 14 of 22 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

Edwards finished with 109 yards in 23 carries.

“We’re been shooting ourselves in the foot a lot this season,” Gibson said. “This offense should be able to score about any time we have the ball.”

The defense came through with a big game in the clutch, shutting down Newport Harbor much of the night. The Sailors’ only touchdown came on their first possession, a 27- yard run by Brandon Finney (123 yards in 25 carries).

The Warriors’ defense even provided a touchdown, when linebacker Don Coleman scooped up a fumble and rambled 63 yards.