San Fernando football shut out by Woodbridge in CIF State Regional 7-AA final

IRVINE — San Fernando quarterback Julian Sarzo knew his offense needed a play. The unit was stagnant for the majority of the first half. So what did he do? He took a shot at an explosive play down the field, but the ball sailed on him in the chilly night.

Woodbridge defensive back Lucas Da Cruz came soaring in and intercepted the ball and returned it to the San Fernando side of the field.

Just plays after the pick, Woodbridge running back Kayjahn Pitts ran in a 17-yard score to give the Warriors a 13-0 lead that would hold up as the final score on a tough Friday night for San Fernando.

Woodbridge (7-8) moved on in the CIF Division 7-AA bracket, getting an opportunity to compete for a state championship next week, despite starting the season 0-7.

“I thought we came out with great energy,” San Fernando head coach Charles Burnley said. “We just couldn’t click. And we struggled offensively. And when you struggle offensively, bad things happen.”

Pitts supplied the majority of Woodbridge’s offense throughout the game, finishing with 17 carries for 98 yards and one touchdown.

Outside of Pitts, the Woodbridge offense didn’t find much success, totaling only 34 yards. San Fernando (11-4) capitalized, shutting out Woodbridge in the second half.

“I think defensively, they did exactly what we thought they were going to do. It was just a matter of stopping them, and we were unable to do it at the crucial points,” Burnley said. “I just think overall we just did not play up to the level of ball that we usually play.”

The San Fernando offense couldn’t sustain anything in the first half. The rushing attack for the Tigers was repeatedly stuffed at the line, and the passing attack did not amount to much, as the Woodbridge pass rush affected Sarzo on every drop-back.

With San Fernando needing answers, it was a bit of deja vu. Wide receiver Andrew Newchurch took snaps in the wildcat, and just like last week against Cleveland, he found success. During the first offensive possession for the Tigers in the second half, Newchurch accumulated 54 yards of offense, leading his team into the red zone.

Knocking on the door, sloppiness plagued the Tigers again. A false start penalty and two sacks led the team into a fourth-and-17, and a turnover on downs. The failure to score all but sealed up the game for San Fernando late in the third quarter.

“I just think that was part of us not clicking,” Burnley said. “If offensively, we’re sloppy and making mistakes, there’s no way you’re gonna, especially when you’re consistently doing those things, gonna win a ball game. And unfortunately, we found ourselves on the wrong side of those mistakes.”