High School Football: Ocean View falls behind to Westminster

Westminster had too many weapons for Ocean View to contend with in their Golden West League game played Friday at Ocean View High School.

Running back Josh carried 34 times for 212 yards and a touchdown and Noah Melbon completed 10 of 44 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns – all to Isayah Anderson – to lead the Lions to a 35-20 victory.

After defeating Loara in the league opener last week, the Seahawks dropped to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in league play.

“There is still a lot to play for,” Ocean View Coach Luis Nunez said.

The Lions (3-4, 1-1) lost to Segerstrom in the league opener last week so Friday’s game was one they really needed.

Anderson had touchdown catches of 63, 16 and 44 yards and finished with five receptions for 136 yards.

The 63-yard score came on a third-and-6 from the Westminster 37-yard line.

The Lions faced a third-and-15 from the Ocean View 16 when Anderson hauled in the 16-yard touchdown pass.

And the 44-yard touchdown came late in the third quarter on a first-and-10 from the Seahawks 44, giving the Lions a 35-13 lead.

That score also came one series after Ocean View’s Alex Nieves intercepted Melbon in the red zone, with the Seahawks gaining some momentum.

“Other teams … their big-play guys are hurting us,” Nunez said. “We fight … We do a good job on defense stopping the run and then, boom, we give up the big play.”

Another key series of plays came just before halftime, with Westminster ahead, 21-6, and facing a second-and-15 from the Ocean View 16.

Melbon’s pass was deflected into the hands of cornerback Rodrigo Adame, who had a clear path to the end zone, but wasn’t able to hold on to the ball.

Melbon connected with Anderson for the 16-yard touchdown on the next play, so instead of the Seahawks possibly trailing by a touchdown at halftime, they were down by three touchdowns.

Ocean View opened the second half with their best drive of the game, going 66 yards on 12 plays.

On a double reverse, Chase Foreman threw an 11-yard pass to quarterback Xavier Salgado to give the Seahawks a first-and-goal from the 3.

The next play was a direct snap to Foreman, who scored.

Ocean View put together another quality drive in the fourth quarter, this time going 70 yards on 10 plays, with Salgado finding Adam Meyer for a 4-yard touchdown.

Now trailing by 15 with 3:21 remaining, the Seahawks attempted an onside kick.

But Westminster recovered the kick and ran out the clock.

The Seahawks had a hard time containing Josh Avila, who rushed for 19 times for 132 yards and touchdown in the first half alone and picked up first downs four times.

Westminster didn’t throw often, but when the Lions did, they were effective, completing passes to five different receivers.

Isayah Anderson was the playmaker, hauling in three passes for 85 yards, including 63- and 16-yard touchdowns

Westminster converted on four of six third downs, including two that went for touchdowns.

Golden West League

Westminster, 35 Ocean View 20

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Westminster 14 - 14 – 7 - 0 – 35

Ocean View 0 - 6 - 7 - 7 – 20

FIRST QUARTER

West – McGookin 9 run, (Rocha kick), 7:38.

West – Anderson 63 pass from Melbon, (Rocha kick), 3:04.

SECOND QUARTER

OV – Foreman 20 pass from Salgado, (kick failed), 6:24.

West – Avila 6 run, (Rocha kick), 3:24.

West – Anderson 16 pass from Melbon, (Rocha kick), :25.

THIRD QUARTER

OV – Foreman 3 run, (Meyer kick), 8:58.

West – Anderson 44 pass from Melbon, (Rocha kick), 2:30.

FOURTH QUARTER

OV – Meyer 4 pass from Salgado, (Meyer kick), 3:21.

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING

West – Avila 34-212, TD.

OV – Salgado 21-86.

INDIVIDUAL PASSING

West – Melbon 10-18-1-179, 3 TDs.

OV – Salgado 11-22-1-130, 2 TDs.

INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING

West – Anderson 5-136, 3 TDs.

OV – Foreman 3-62, TD