ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : University Wins Battle of Irvine

If points for style counted, the score would have been much higher. But as the numbers go, University High defeated Irvine, 14-7, Friday, in one of the program’s biggest victories in recent years.

The Vaqueros have dominated the cross-town rivalry, winning 12 of the previous 17 games, including the last seven in a row.

But University showed that a little wit can go a long way--scoring on a 60-yard play-action pass and a 70-yard interception return and showing ingenuity on defense.

“It’s a great feeling for the kids,” said 10-year University Coach Mark Cunningham, who was smiling and being held off the ground by several celebrating players. “They played a great game against a huge team.”

Irvine scored on its first possession, but University (1-0) answered 21 seconds later on their first play from scrimmage as sophomore quarterback Damian DeFeo handed off to Bryant Geary, who passed to Robbie Gostanian for a 60-yard touchdown play to tie the score.

The Trojans’ Kelvin Murray fumbled on their next possession, but Jarrett Mahoney made up for the mistake, intercepting a pass from quarterback Jared Flint and returning it 70 yards for a touchdown.

Irvine threatened in the fourth quarter after Flint drove the Vaqueros 61 yards--passing for 42 yards and rushing for four yards on the drive himself--but they came up short as the Trojan defense broke up two passes from the nine-yard line.

Flint, making his first varsity appearance, completed 16 of 32 passes for 136 yards with one interception for Irvine, which finished 4-5-1 last season and tied for third place in the Sea View League. The Vaqueros failed to make the playoffs last season after winning three consecutive Southern Section titles.

Mahoney led the Trojans with 64 yards in eight carries, including the interception return.

Irvine (0-1) had two touchdowns called back because of penalties.

The Vaqueros got their only score after Flint drove the Vaqueros 72 yards down the field--completing six of seven passes to account for 47 of those yards, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Zubin Irani.