Column: Westlake gets a breakthrough win over Santa Margarita
Since Westlake Village Westlake moved to the Southern Section Pac-5 Division in 2012, the Warriors hadn’t defeated a top Pac-5 opponent. There were losses to Long Beach Poly and Santa Ana Mater Dei last season, a loss to Anaheim Servite in 2013 and a loss to Mission Viejo in 2012.
Then came Friday night, when quarterback Grant Bunker connected on touchdown passes of 43 and 38 yards to Theo Howard in the third quarter to help the Warriors (3-1) stun Santa Margarita and Stanford-bound quarterback K.J. Costello, 21-14, giving first-year Coach Tony Henney a signature victory.
Westlake players told Henney one of their goals this season was to pick up a breakthrough win over a Pac-5 opponent. Bunker came through despite the Warriors falling behind, 7-0, at halftime.
“He had a rough start,” Henney said. “It took a lot of resolve when you’re not having a good night.”
Westlake’s defense had two interceptions and linebacker Brandon Shook and tackle Brandon Hall generated lots of pressure. Running back Chase Jasmin rushed for 153 yards.
The Warriors will have little time to celebrate. They face a tough road game next week against improving Compton Dominguez (3-1), which uses a double-wing attack.
Westlake is part of an improved Marmonte League. The Warriors, Oaks Christian, St. Bonaventure and Moorpark are a combined 13-3.
Hail Mary
La Habra quarterback Eric Barriere must have been watching highlights of Brigham Young quarterback Tanner Mangum, who threw long passes to defeat Nebraska and Boise State this season.
Barriere came through with his own Hail Mary on the game’s final play to beat Los Alamitos, 37-32. His 44-yard pass was caught by Eric Lancaster-Garcia at the one-yard line. Surrounded by four Los Alamitos defenders, Lancaster-Garcia fell into the end zone for the winning touchdown.
Hail Tyger
Junior quarterback Tyger Goslin of Chatsworth passed for seven touchdowns and ran for another in a 62-49 victory over Fairfax. Ramses Hernandez of Fairfax rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns and had a 98-yard kickoff return for another touchdown and caught a touchdown pass.
Chatsworth is 3-0 and averaging 56.3 points.
Hollywood hit
Senior quarterback David Rothenberg has led Hollywood to a 4-0 record. In a 43-35 victory over Los Angeles Marshall, Rothenberg passed for 229 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 138 yards in 10 carries.
Malik Henry debut
Former Westlake quarterback Malik Henry made his debut for Long Beach Poly in a 52-13 loss to Las Vegas Bishop Gorman. He completed a 64-yard touchdown pass to Jack Jones on his first pass for the Jackrabbits. Later, he added another touchdown pass to Jones.
UCLA commit
Crenshaw defensive back-receiver Marquis Lawson said he will attend UCLA.
Twitter: @LATSondheimer
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