Westlake falls short, but sees promise

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It was facing an up-hill battle, but Westlake Coach Jim Benkert was pleased with how his team played in its 27-13 loss to Newbury Park.

‘Considering all the injuries we have, I’m real proud with how our kids stayed in the game and battled adversity,’ Benkert said. ‘We had our chances, we just couldn’t capitalize against a talented team.’

Westlake definitely kept things interesting in the first half and led at one point, 10-7, on a 15-yard TD run by Cooper Shockley. But the Panthers’ defense really never let the offense find its rhythm.

The Warriors missed on two prime opportunities to score TDs. The first came on their first possession, when Newbury Park’s Colby Cameron could only manage a 10-yard punt into the atrocious wind which plagued the opening minutes of the game. Westlake took possession just outside the Panthers’ 30-yard line but couldn’t go anywhere, and Jordan Mannisto missed his 48-yard field goal attempt.

Westlake’s final chance to score came late in the fourth quarter, but a solid-looking drive fizzled out at the NP six-yard line and the Warriors settled for a 27-yard field goal by Mannisto.

Mannisto went two for five on field-goal attempts in somewhat difficult conditions. Also hurting him, possibly, was the fact that the team’s normal holder, Kyle Oglesby, did not play because of an injury. However, it didn’t seem to me that played a factor in any of his kicks.

‘We thought they were within his range, but it was tough out there,’ Benkert said.

Despite the outcome, Westlake still proved its a definite playoff contender and a force in the Marmonte League.

- Austin Knoblauch