Woodbridge Cashes In on University’s Miscues

Woodbridge High turned four of University’s seven turnovers into touchdowns and defeated the Trojans, 35-20, in a nonleague game at Irvine High Friday night.

University (1-2) lost fumbles on its first two possessions, and the Warriors cashed in, taking a 14-0 lead just five minutes into the game.

Trojan quarterback Pat Josten had passes intercepted on his team’s last four possessions, one of which was returned 35 yards for a touchdown by Dave Delany, thwarting any hopes of a University comeback.

“We read our defense the riot act at halftime,” Woodbridge Coach Rick Gibson said. “They weren’t playing good football, but they responded [in the second half].”

Warrior quarterback Shane Harris, starting in place of regular Jimmy Pearson, rushed for 124 yards in 34 carries and scored three touchdowns. He completed five of nine passes for 92 yards. For good measure, he was five for five on extra points.

Pearson suffered a hairline fracture of a metacarpal bone in his non-throwing hand late in a victory over Foothill last week. He is expected back next week, and, according to Gibson, would have played had this been a league game.

Harris, who usually starts at running back, eliminated the middle man and ran the ball himself after taking the majority of his snaps from the shotgun formation.

The Trojans tied the score, 14-14, early in the second quarter and trailed 28-20 with less than three minutes to play. At that point, Josten threw the second of his four interceptions, this one giving Woodbridge (3-0) a two-touchdown lead. University then attempted to run its two-minute offense, ending with the same result.