Halftime: Oxnard 14 Westlake Village Westlake 10

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It looked like both Westlake Village Westlake and Oxnard came out of their shells in the second quarter after playing very tight and anxious. That sometimes happens in sports when both teams know the stakes are high.

It appeared the Warriors were about to take control of the game. Westlake recovered a fumble from Oxnard quarterback Dasmen Stewart at its 39-yard line. Then the Warriors executed a 7-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a Tavior Mowry 5-yard touchdown with 6:09 remaining. Stephen Murphy’s extra point made it 10-0.

But Oxnard quickly answered at the 5:50 mark. On play action, Stewart launched a 55-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Smith, who was wide open in the middle seam. After Martin Gonzalez’s extra point, Westlake led 10-7.

The Warriors tried to play ball in the track meet, but settling for a 33-yard field goal with 2:21 left didn’t work. The Yellowjackets, meanwhile, let the offense come to life. At 1st-and-10 on Oxnard’s 42-yard line, Stewart shot a shuffle pass to Sam McCowan. At the 45-yard line, McCowan then ran to the far end of the field and went the distance for a 13-10 lead with 42 seconds remaining.

Westlake chalked up a 10-play drive but unsuccessfully converted on a 29-yard field goal.

Stewart went 3-of-7 for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Westlake quarterback Nick Isham threw 11-of-12 for 140 yards.

--Mark Medina