Western Rips Anaheim, Stays Unbeaten in League

Western High School remained atop the Orange League standings with a 25-8 victory over Anaheim at Glover Stadium Friday night.

Western’s Kevin Byun, a 5-foot-3 defensive back, made the biggest play of the game when he returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown with 6 minutes 21 seconds remaining. The score and ensuing extra point gave the winners a 22-8 lead.

Western, 7-1 overall and 3-0 in league play, took a 15-0 halftime lead behind the running of Barry Howell and quarterback Gil Brito. The Pioneers ran up 148 yards rushing in the first two quarters as Howell scored on a nine-yard run and Eric Dowell scored on a five-yard run.

Anaheim (2-6, 0-3) came back in the third quarter on the passing combination of quarterback Chad Campbell to wide receiver Matt Patterson. The two led Anaheim on a 78-yard drive. The key play was a 34-yard pass from Campbell to Patterson and Patterson capped the drive with a seven-yard touchdown reception.

Sammy Serna ran for the conversion to cut Western’s lead to 15-8 with 9:11 left in the third quarter.

Western had 308 yards rushing for the game, led by Howell’s 142 yards in 15 carries.