HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / CITY SECTION PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Van Nuys Turns Away Westchester, 28-27

Efrain Martinez threw a touchdown pass, recovered two fumbles and made all four of his conversion kicks to lead Van Nuys High to a stunning, 28-27 upset of previously undefeated and third-seeded Westchester in a first-round City Section 4-A Division playoff game at Westchester.

Despite the effort of Martinez, a senior fullback, linebacker and kicker, Van Nuys (7-4) narrowly escaped with the victory. Westchester scored on a hook-and-trailer play with seven seconds left as Oliver Baines took a pitch from Richard Bowden and scored from 26 yards. However, receiver Tony Griffin dropped quarterback Seka Edwards’ pass for the two-point conversion.

Westchester (9-1-1) then recovered an onside kick after the botched two-point attempt. A desperation pass by Edwards was intercepted by Van Nuys defensive back Taj Tucker on the game’s final play. It was the last of five Comet turnovers.

Van Nuys, trailing 13-7 at the half, scored the first of three second-half touchdowns when quarterback John Peterson hooked up with wide receiver Tasheeri Walker on a 90-yard pass. On the Wolves’ next possession, Walker caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Martinez on the last of three fake punts. Van Nuys was successful on two of the three attempts.

Peterson completed four of eight passes for 129 yards and a touchdown. Walker caught two passes for 128 yards. Westchester’s Edwards completed 10 of 25 for 181 yards and two touchdowns but also threw three interceptions.

A missed point-after by Shawn Riggins in the second quarter came back to haunt Westchester. Riggins missed the kick after Edwards had hit Bowden with a 10-yard scoring pass.

Van Nuys plays Locke in Wednesday’s quarterfinals.