HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : Westlake Turnovers Help Royal Post 14-0 Victory : By BRIAN MURPHY

For the first 2 quarters in Royal High’s Marmonte League game against Westlake Friday night at Simi Valley High, Highlander quarterback Pat Ledesma was brilliant, rushing for 67 yards and orchestrating 2 Royal touchdown drives.

As it turned out, that 24 minutes of work was all he needed. The Westlake offense took care of the rest, committing 4 turnovers in the second half to greatly aid Royal’s 14-0 win.

The turnovers--3 interceptions and a fumble--effectively thwarted any Westlake threat to score. It was the fumble, in particular, that dented the Westlake psyche.

The Warriors had mounted an impressive drive after the second-half kickoff, converting 3 fourth-down plays to bring the ball to the Royal 22. A mix-up in the Westlake backfield then caused the ball to be jarred loose, and the drive was squelched.

The loss knocked Westlake (1-7, 1-4 in league play) out of the playoff race. For Royal (3-5, 2-2), its hopes are still very much alive, thanks primarily to Ledesma.

The senior’s deceptive options and keepers crossed up the Warrior defense. He also led the Highlanders’ to both of their touchdowns, the first coming on a perfectly timed delay pitch on the option to Jason Jones, who took it in from 12 yards in the first quarter.

Ledesma’s 15-yard scoring pass to James Jones in the second-quarter completed the scoring.