Author: Tom Connolly

PHOTOS: Western rolls into semifinal round with decisive home victory over Apple Valley

Western running back Josh Faulkner carries the ball for the Pioneers during the second half. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone). Western High School’s football team is on a roll and moving on to the semifinals.   The Pioneers defense forced five turnovers and wide receiver Julian Amezcua-Foucault Read More

PHOTOS: Ardwon Morris helps Orange earn a share of league title with win over Santa Ana

Orange Head Coach Robert Pedroza celebrates with his players after the Panthers defeated Santa Ana.(Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone). Orange, Santa Ana and St. Margaret’s are tri-champions. For the sixth consecutive season the Santa Ana and Orange High’s football teams faced off in the Orange Coast League Read More

Yorba Linda powers past Foothill to earn share of Crestview League title with Knights

Yorba Linda was led by (from left) quarterback Holden Nagin, running back Chase Jones and defensive tackle Joshua Grethen Thursday night. (Photos: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone). Villa Park would also share crown with a win Friday. Yorba Linda’s football team’s high-powered offense was virtually unstoppable in a Crestview Read More

PHOTOS: Cypress edges Crean Lutheran with late TD to keep Empire League title hopes alive

Rocco Burdett of Cypress scores the winning TD Saturday night as Carter Jones of Crean Lutheran grabs his leg. (Action photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano; additional photos Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone). After squandering a 24-point lead, Cypress High School’s football team rallied for a late fourth-quarter Read More

Foothill captures decisive Crestview League win over Brea Olinda to clinch CIF playoff berth

Foothill linebacker Preston Raymond (No. 5) with teammates Cesar Ordonez (54) and Tyler Selden (50) after the game. Photos: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone). Foothill High School’s football team dominated all phases of its Crestview League game Friday night and came away with a 55-0 victory over Brea Olinda Read More

PHOTOS: Irvine gets back on track with victory over Northwood on homecoming

Irvine quarterback Khoa Bui picks up yards as Northwood’s Tristan Tran (No. 5) and Cole Hidalgo defend. (Photos courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone). Friday’s non-league football clash between city rivals Irvine and Northwood High’s football teams came at a pivotal time of the season. Both teams had struggled of Read More