Nikzad Impresses With a Performance Like a Champion

Though Skyler Champion’s record-breaking performance on Thursday, a county-record 527 yards rushing against Orange, provided a weekend highlight, it was the performance of Iman Nikzad that caught the attention of Newport Harbor’s coach, Jeff Brinkley.

Nikzad, of Aliso Niguel, rushed for 357 yards, not against a team still looking for its first win as Champion did, but against a Woodbridge team that was in a must-win position to get a playoff berth.

“I didn’t see the game with Foothill, and I’d hate to make a comment on a game that I don’t know that much about,” said Brinkley, whose team defeated Orange, 55-6. “I do know that Woodbridge traditionally plays good defense, and that’s a lot of yardage.”

Woodbridge’s defense has two shutouts, including a 30-0 victory over Foothill (Champion rushed 21 times for 85 yards).

Nikzad scored five touchdowns against the Warriors (5-4), who are defending league and Southern Section Division VI champions. After taking a 49-7 lead, Nikzad sat out 14 minutes, 50 seconds--more than a full quarter--until Woodbridge pulled to 49-29, the final score.

AROUND THE COUNTY

Going into the season’s final week, many league titles and playoff berths are on the line:

* Century: Santa Ana Valley and Villa Park are unbeaten and play Thursday at El Modena High to determine the league’s title.

* Empire: Second-place Kennedy (3-1) hosts Cypress (2-2) at Western High on Thursday, and Loara (4-0) hosts Katella (2-2) on Friday. Cypress and Katella must finish third to get into the playoffs.

* Freeway: La Habra (4-0) wins the title with a victory Friday against Buena Park (2-2); second-place Troy (3-1) plays at Fullerton (1-3).

* Garden Grove: The three automatic playoff berths have been determined. If Pacifica (4-1) wins at Garden Grove (5-0) on Friday, there will be a three-way tie for first place, with Los Amigos (5-1).

* Golden West: Tustin (3-0) plays Ocean View (2-1) at Huntington Beach on Thursday. An Ocean View victory, and win by Westminster (2-1) over Santa Ana (1-2) creates a three-way tie for first place.

* Olympic: Orange Lutheran (4-0), unbeaten in nine games, faces Calvary Chapel (1-3) at Orange Coast College on Thursday. Only an upset can provide Cerritos Valley Christian (3-1) a shot at the title. Whittier Christian (2-2), which plays Valley Christian, and Brethren Christian (2-2), which plays Ontario Christian (1-3), must finish third to reach the playoffs.

* Orange: Valencia (4-0) plays at Brea Olinda (3-0-1) on Friday to determine the league champion. Automatic qualifying berth goes to the winner of Western (2-1-1) and Savanna (2-2).

* Pacific Coast: Corona del Mar (3-0) can claim the title with a victory Friday against Costa Mesa (2-1), but a three-way tie for first place is possible if Costa Mesa wins and Estancia (2-1) defeats University (1-2). University must beat Estancia to make the playoffs.

* Sea View: If Newport Harbor (3-0) is upset by Aliso Niguel (1-2) Friday, Irvine (2-1) can share the league title with a victory over Woodbridge (0-3), the defending league and section champion.

* Serra: Only an upset by St. John Bosco (0-2) keeps Mater Dei (2-0) from winning the inaugural league title. Servite (1-1) plays Santa Margarita (1-1) Friday at Saddleback College to determine second place.

* South Coast: El Toro, Mission Viejo and San Clemente are tied for first, but El Toro holds tiebreaker advantages for seeding purposes. El Toro (3-1) plays Dana Hills (1-3), while Mission Viejo (3-1) plays at San Clemente (3-1) Friday.

* Sunset: Los Alamitos (3-1) plays Marina (3-1) at Westminster High, and Fountain Valley (3-1) plays at Orange Coast College against Esperanza (2-2). Only Marina has clinched a playoff berth.