Lancers Rip Lions for Win

The season that was supposed to a big one for Westminster High School ended on a sour note Friday night at Keifer Stadium in La Puente.

The Lions, who entered the season 17th in the nation, fell to top-seeded Bishop Amat, 35-7.

The Lancers (11-0) scored on their first two possessions in the first quarter--on 11- and 51-yard runs by Eric Bieniemy and Mazio Royster, respectively.

The Lions (5-5-1), who were third in the Sunset League, didn’t give in to the Angeles League Champions, however.

Quarterback Mike Austin moved Westminster 72 yards in 14 plays and running back Jim Rubalcava finished the eight-minute drive with a two-yard run with 4:08 left in the second quarter.

“They took us out of our game plan late in the second quarter,” Bishop Amat Coach Mark Paredes said. “They really came after us and hit us hard.”

The Lions, however, were hurt late in the second quarter when Bishop Amat linebacker Charles Fraley picked up Austin’s fumble at the Westminster 16, returning it to the 10 with only nine seconds left on the clock. On the next play, quarterback J. R. Phillips hit wide receiver Scott Ragano over the middle to give the Lancers a 21-7 lead and the momentum going into the locker room.

Each of Phillips’ three completions went for touchdowns. In the fourth quarter, he connected with Ragano for a 20-yard score and he then hit wide receiver Derek Zdarstek on a 40-yard bomb with 7:45 left in the game.

Bieniemy gained 117 yards, bringing his season total to 1,855 yards. He also scored a touchdown, his 29th of the year.

“They are awful good,” Westminster Coach Jack Bowman said. “They’re going to be a tough team to beat.”