IRVINE — With Northwood’s upward move to the Pacific Coast League, the Timberwolves are no longer in the Pacific Hills League with crosstown rival Woodbridge.
But the Timberwolves and Warriors faced off against each other for a nonleague clash in their respective season openers Friday at Portola High School.
The game was sloppy at times and both teams committed their share of penalties.
But the game was still exciting and there were big plays, especially by brothers Adam and Joseph Harper who were the key contributors in Northwood’s 21-7 victory.
Returning team MVP Adam Harper carried 27 times for 143 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown.
Adam Harper also threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to his brother Joseph on a halfback-option play on fourth-and-12, which gave the Timberwolves a 13-0 lead in the second quarter.
The play that decided the game was made on defense by Joseph Harper in the fourth quarter with Northwood trying to hang on to a 13-7 lead.
The Warriors had trouble moving the ball for much of the game, but finally put together what looked to be a successful drive.
Quarterback Edward Ma completed passes of 24, 16 and 16 yards, leading the Warriors from their 19 to the Northwood 25 with a chance to score a touchdown and take the lead
On a first-and-10 from 25, Ma dropped back to pass but a hard hit by Joseph Harper jarred the ball loose.
Defensive lineman Tao Sun scooped up the ball and returned it 34 yards to the Woodbridge 31.
Adam Harper then capped the ensuing drive with his 11-yard touchdown run and quarterback Eugene Miyata connected with Joseph Harper on the 2-point conversion to put the Timberwolves up by two touchdowns with 5:30 remaining.
Ahmad Kazi’s interception, the second of the game by the Timberwolves, thwarted any chance of a Woodbridge comeback
“The game was very physical,” Northwood coach JC Clarke said. “I was very happy because we are not known as a physical team.”
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Both teams will play three games in their respective leagues later in the season, so Friday’s contest meant nothing in terms of league standings.
But the game could factor into the battle for the Dennis Toohey Fence Post trophy contested among the six Irvine high schools and awarded to the school with the best record in head-to-head games against the other five.