Here’s the call: Westgate’s huge game propels Oak Park to upset

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I put in a couple of calls in to coaches Dick Billingsley and Bill Redell to get their personal takes on Oak Park’s stunning 25-20 victory over Oaks Christian on Friday night, but I haven’t heard back from either one. Oh well, my best guess is one of them is still kicking his heels over the outcome while the other probably wouldn’t mind going a whole Sunday not talking to anyone who can describe themselves as media (just kidding, both Redell and Billingsley are great with the media).

Of course, all that waiting by the phone gave me a chance to pour a bowl of cereal, pull up a chair to the computer and catch up on what was the biggest regional game of Week 7. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I actually saw how Oak Park toppled the three-time defending Tri-Valley League champs.

And I was completely blown away by the play of linebacker Sean Westgate.

Sure, DB Kyle Shorten’s left-handed, outside slap-down to prevent what looked like a sure-thing, game-winning TD pass from Chris Potter to Chris Coyle in the final seconds was the play of the game. But Westgate’s ability to wreak havoc on Potter and RB Malcolm Jones was critical in keeping Oaks Christian under control and off the scoreboard in the fourth quarter...

Oh, wait a minute, my cell phone’s lighting up.

(15 minutes later)

Billingsley just called me back. Here’s what he had to say about Westgate’s big night:

“Sean always has a sensational game. He was extremely quick off the block and one of the biggest things that impressed me was he pulled down Potter a couple times from behind at full speed. That’s really tough.”

Yeah, I’d agree catching a guy who’s going to be playing WR at Boise State next year isn’t easy. But Westgate has earned the right to chase a lot of QBs at Arizona next fall, so I guess Billingsley is right in saying he wasn’t too surprised by his star linebacker’s performance.

- Austin Knoblauch