Westlake Romps Past Oxnard

Players such as quarterback Todd Preston, all-purpose back Seamus Gibbons and receiver Erik Holcomb have helped Westlake High to develop one of the most efficient passing attacks in the region.

But players such as running back Reuben Allen, defensive end Dave Monheim, and linebacker Vince Bruno also have given Westlake a quality running attack and hard-hitting defense that have made Westlake a force after two weeks of the 1990 season.

And no more was it apparent than Thursday, when Allen rushed for 164 yards in 10 carries and Westlake held Oxnard’s powerful running game in check until the waning seconds of a 41-6 nonleague win over Oxnard at Thousand Oaks High.

Allen, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound senior, ran for 88 yards in his first two carries and had 135 at halftime. His stutter-step moves and explosive quickness allowed Westlake to avenge last season’s 47-13 defeat to the Yellowjackets, whom the Warriors felt exhibited poor sportsmanship with a two-point conversion while leading 38-6.

“It was payback,” said Allen, who rushed for 120 yards in Westlake’s 41-20 win over Buena last Friday.

“We think Reuben Allen is a quality running back, and the last two weeks he has proven it,” Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said.

When Allen wasn’t heading toward an end zone, Preston was picking Oxnard’s secondary apart. Preston, a senior, completed 11 of 17 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. He has not thrown an interception in 38 attempts this season. Holcomb, a junior, caught three passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard pass from Gibbons on a halfback pass that gave Westlake a 34-0 lead in the third quarter. Gibbons caught five passes for 68 yards.

When the offense faltered, Westlake’s defense took its turn. Led by Monheim, Bruno, and a host of others, Westlake limited Oxnard running back Kenyon Lewis to 81 yards in 15 carries.

Westlake’s offense, which finished with 411 yards, established itself on the game’s opening drive. On the first play, Preston hit Arash Mobayen for a 24-yard gain. On the next play, Allen ran 40 yards to give Westlake a 6-0 lead.

On Westlake’s next drive, Allen ran 48 yards to Oxnard’s 20 and scored on the next play. The touchdown was nullified by a holding call, but Allen scrambled for seven yards on a third-and-three at the eight and Preston scored on the next play.

Westlake extended its lead to 18-0 when Allen scored from 18 yards with 9 minutes 56 seconds left in the first half. Preston hit Gibbons for the two-point conversion and a 20-0 lead.

Oxnard’s next drive ended on downs at Westlake’s 24, and the Warriors put together a 75-yard drive that ended with Preston hitting Holcomb from eight yards. Preston ran the two-point conversion to give Westlake a 28-0 lead with 3:36 left.

Oxnard’s deepest drive in the first half ended at Westlake’s 12 where the Warriors recovered quarterback Larry Bumpus’ fumble.