CITY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : 2-A Final : Westchester Makes a Few Passes Go a Long Way

Westchester High School’s Damion Smith makes the most of a minimal passing game.

Smith completed 3 of only 5 passes but accounted for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Comets defeated Reseda, 21-13, for the City 2-A championship Saturday at East Los Angeles College.

It was Westchester’s first City title and marked the second consecutive year that the second-place Pac-8 League team had upset the first-place team in the final.

Reseda (10-1), the defending 2-A champion, beat the Comets, 10-0, in a league game Oct. 9. That was, however, before Westchester (10-2) revamped its passing attack.

“Last time we played them, I don’t think our passing game was ready,” said Smith, who completed 22 of 52 attempts this season. “I think that was the difference.”

Twice Reseda was burned by the bomb. The first was an 80-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Kevin Owens with 7:29 left in the second quarter that gave Westchester a 7-0 lead. Then, with 1:33 left in the third quarter, Bryan Bowers caught a 28-yard pass over Reseda cornerback Maurice Bell for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

Reseda Coach Joel Schaeffer expected as much from the Comets and Coach Larry Wein but was powerless against it.

“I expected them to pass,” Schaeffer said. “Coach Wein has a theory where he’ll throw the ball long seven or eight times a game and hook up with a long one. Today they ended up with two.”

Corey Henry scored Westchester’s final touchdown on a four-yard run with 11:30 left in the game. The Comets led, 21-7, but the Regents had a bit of life left.

Reseda’s John Marks blocked Bowers’ punt with 4:59 to go, and Kevin Gravning recovered for the Regents on Westchester’s 41-yard line. On the next play, backup quarterback Mike Shwartzer passed 41 yards to tight end David Wilson for a touchdown. The snap was high on the conversion attempt, and the Regents trailed, 21-13.

Shwartzer replaced starter Coley Kyman, who completed 5 of 12 passes for 37 yards and was intercepted twice by Westchester’s Tyrone Harris.

Reseda had possession and a chance to tie with two minutes left but failed to get a first down from its 22-yard line. On fourth down, Wilson dropped a first-down pass at the 36 with 1:15 remaining.

Reseda managed 144 yards total offense. Westchester had 280 yards, including 82 rushing by Henry.

Reseda’s Ronald Wilkinson rushed for 85 yards and scored the Regents’ first touchdown on a 23-yard run in the third quarter.