Portola High makes first varsity football game a winner

It was worth the wait for Portola’s varsity football team.
Portola, without any seniors, made the most of its first varsity game, defeating Fairmont Prep 39-20 on Friday, Aug. 17, in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Portola’s Adrien Valerin sprints with a flag before a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola student section show their excitement as the team kicks off a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
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A Portola High School student fan purchases a ticket for the game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola students take a group photo before a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola cheerleaders perform during a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s Brandon Yue, left, throws a pass to Joey Omar during a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola head coach Peter Abe watches his team playing at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s Brandon Yue, center, shakes hands with Fairmont Prep players before a game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s Kaveh Wojtowich right, celebrates his touchdown, and first touchdown of school history during a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola cheerleaders wait for the players to break a banner before a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola head coach Peter Abe, left, gives instructions to Brandon Yue during a game against Farimont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s Kaveh Wojtowich, right, celebrates his touchdown- the first touchdown of school history during a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola’s Kaveh Wojtowich, right, sprints past Fairmont Prep’s Brian Wright during a game at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
Portola team breaks a banner before a game against Fairmont Prep at Portola High School in Irvine on Friday, August 17, 2018. Portola held their first varsity football game of their school history. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)
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“This is a very special one,” Portola coach Peter Abe. “I think we did a fantastic job of getting out there and playing four quarters, and getting out there and getting knocked down and getting back up. We had our opportunities to make plays and guys got up there and made the plays.
“I think it is a great win for us because it’s going to do a lot for our confidence and how we practice.”
His team, he said, lived up to its slogan: “Protect the Pedigree.”
Portola, Irvine’s newest high school campus, opened in 2016 with just freshman. This is the first year it has been able to field a varsity team.
The first Portola touchdown came when quarterback Brandon Yue connected with Kaveh Wojtowich on a 42-yard pass with 5 minutes left in the first quarter – helping Portola tie the game 6-6.
Portola moved ahead 13-6 when Yue and Russell Sung hooked up on an 85-yard pass in the second quarter. The Bulldogs then broke the game open by outscoring Fairmont Prep 19-0 in the third quarter.
Yue passed for 132 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two scores while Sung rushed for 169 yards and three TDs for Portola. Sung also had 85 receiving yards.
Sung praised the effort of the coaches and the offensive line.
“I’ve got to give credit to my coaches and my teammates for rallying around another and getting this W, our first varsity win,” Sung said.
The players, he said, were well prepared when they took the field.
“There were a lot of mixed emotions,” he said. “I was kind of nervous and excited, pumped up trying to get the guys to rally around each other and just come out and have fun.”
Portola will go for its second win on Friday, Aug. 24 when it plays Saddleback at Century.
Abe said he hopes his team will continue to improve.
“I’m not a predictions guy,” Abe said. “I’m just saying this team has got the potential for a lot of success.”
Source: OC Register