Western Uses Turnovers to Beat Loara

Western’s defense caused six turnovers, turning three into touchdowns, to lead the Pioneers to a 46-6 nonleague victory over Loara Thursday night in the season opener for both schools.

Senior David Diaz intercepted two passes by Saxon quarterback Bill Milligan, returning one 46 yards for a touchdown to give Western a 25-0 lead at halftime. The other set up a four-yard touchdown run by Mike Boomsma early in the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers’ Rudy Rodriquez extended the lead to 32-0 on the second play of the third quarter, returning an interception of a Milligan pass 32 yards for a touchdown. Western finished with four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Quarterback Brandon Brennan led the Pioneer offense, completing 10 of 15 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. The first, a 15-yarder to Joshua Christensen, opened the scoring with 6 minutes 12 seconds to play in the first quarter. Brennan also connected with Rodriquez for a 22-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter to make it 18-0.

Loara averted a shutout when Robert Lark, who replaced Milligan at quarterback early in the fourth quarter, broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run with 4:13 left.

Lark, who finished with 65 yards on five carries, drove the Saxons from the Western 41 in eight plays. It was Loara’s only effective drive.