PREP FOOTBALL : Sunset League : Westminster’s Defense Stops Fountain Valley

Westminster High School’s 10-0 Sunset League victory over Fountain Valley Thursday night in LeBard Stadium happened because the Lions’ defense willed it so.

The defense of Westminster (2-1, 4-3-1) held Fountain Valley to 115 yards in total offense and sacked quarterback David Henigan six times. For good measure, each of Westminster’s scores were set up by turnovers caused by the defense.

The first was Todd Weaver’s interception of a Henigan pass with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Weaver returned the ball to the Fountain Valley 45-yard line.

On the next play, quarterback Mike Austin, under a heavy rush, stepped up in the pocket and completed a 45-yard touchdown pass to running back Corey Dickson.

Midway through the third quarter, Fountain Valley running back Ray Luckey was hit hard and fumbled at his own 21. Westminster’s Jerry Gillespie fell on the ball and five plays later Troy Rossean kicked a 20-yard field goal.

Fountain Valley (2-1, 2-6) never threatened in the second half, its deepest penetration reaching its own 36-yard line.

“Our kids weren’t happy with the way they played last week,” said Jack Bowman, Westminster co-coach. “They wanted to prove something tonight.”

Last week, Westminster’s defense was stunned when an apparent victory over Edison was lost on a 69-yard touchdown pass with two-minutes remaining.

“They really took that game hard,” Bowman said. “I thought our defense was just awesome tonight.”

Defensive linemen Jim Rubalcava, Mike Cover and John Trani were outstanding, dominating the seven-man Fountain Valley offensive line. Westminster’s six sacks of Henigan accounted for 25-yards in losses.

Henigan completed 7 of 10 passes for 98 yards. Austin completed just 2 of 7 for 54 yards. Austin was also Westminster’s leading rusher, gaining 63 yards in 13 carries. Austin left the game in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle that Bowman said was not that serious.

So good was the Westminster defense Thursday that it overcame the mistake-prone offense that committed numerous penalties, including one that nullified a 60-yard touchdown run by Austin in the first quarter.

Marina 14, Huntington Beach 7--Even with his team leading the league, Marina football Coach Chris Ramsey appears worried.

“We’re happy to be 3-0 but I’m disappointed we got outplayed “ Ramsey said after the Vikings survived four turnovers to win at Westminster High.

In a game between two run-oriented teams, it was favored Marina (3-0, 3-5) that was being pushed around before Huntington Beach (0-3, 2-6) made its first mistake of the game.

The Oilers were driving for what could have been their second touchdown of the first half when, on first and goal from the Marina two-yard line, Jason McGehee fumbled the ball into the end zone.

Brian Bosse recovered for the Vikings, who then went 80 yards for the deciding touchdown.

The score came on a 61-yard pass from Rick Vanderriet to John Sims. Reading a safety blitz, Vanderriet connected with Sims at the Huntington Beach 35-yard line. Sims eluded one would-be tackler at the 25 and slipped out of the grasp of Darryl Skinner at the 15 to score the game-winner.

That woke up the Vikings defense, which shut down Huntington Beach’s offense the rest of the way.