Surprising West L. A. Ambushes Ventura, 34-17

Through some undistinguished seasons, about the only thing of note the West Los Angeles College football team could hang its helmet on was the fact that New York Giants wide receiver Stephen (The Touchdown Maker) Baker once played in the Oiler program.

The Oilers usually fell behind so quickly that all suspense was gone by the end of the first period.

This was a team that had lost 23 consecutive games until defeating Chaffey two weekends ago. It celebrated by taking the next weekend off.

But this season the West Los Angeles program seems to have turned around.

Saturday night at Ventura High, West L. A. extended its winning streak to two, defeating host Ventura, 34-17, in a Western State Conference opener.

The Oilers’ gambling, blitzing defense sacked Ventura quarterbacks seven times, and West L. A.’s no-huddle offense frequently confused the Pirates. West L. A., which held Chaffey to seven yards rushing, limited Ventura (0-2, 0-1 in conference play) to 101 yards rushing and 81 yards passing.

Pirate quarterbacks Tim Albrent and Matt Brimigion completed just nine of 29 passes.

About the only bright spot for Ventura was the running of Tony Williams, who began the evening as the WSC’s top rusher. Williams finished with 100 yards in 16 carries.

West L. A. took the lead for good in the second half on Cassius Auzout’s one-yard run. Hugo Merles’ conversion kick gave the Oilers a 21-17 lead with 8 minutes 2 seconds left in the third period.

West L. A. added to its margin late in the fourth period when it blocked an Albrent punt and Sam Rogers took it 26 yards for a touchdown.

The Oilers’ Cary Tiller added a late touchdown on a 34-yard run with 45 seconds to play.

West L. A. rushed for 278 yards. Although Ventura took a 3-0 lead on Aaron Clark’s 28-yard second-period field goal, the Oilers retaliated quickly.

Tiller returned the kickoff 55 yards to the Ventura 34, and, four plays later, Chris McCloud tossed a 17-yard pass to a wide-open Quinton Winston in the left corner of the end zone. Merles added the kick for a 7-3 Oiler advantage.

Ventura regained the lead after a fumble by the Oilers’ Myron Phillips at the West L. A. 15. Williams--back in the lineup after being shaken up earlier--took a handoff and went 15 yards for a touchdown on the next play.

The Pirates increased their advantage to 17-7 when Chris Thomas fielded a punt at the Ventura 13 and galloped up the right side for an 87-yard touchdown.

West L. A., unlike in past years, refused to fold. On the ensuing possession, McCloud broke loose on a 69-yard touchdown run and Merles converted to cut Ventura’s lead to 17-14 just before halftime.