Agoura Is Run Over by Westlake

Sparked by the two-pronged rushing attack of junior Craig Walendy and senior Jason Bedell, Westlake High powered past Agoura, 20-12, Friday night in a Marmonte League game.

Walendy gained a game-high 161 yards in 18 carries and scored the go-ahead touchdown for Westlake, and Bedell carried 16 times for 105 yards and one score as the Warriors took over second place from the surprising Chargers.

The Warriors (5-1-1, 3-0-1 in league play) took the lead for good with 8 minutes 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter on a 33-yard touchdown run by Walendy and Scott Morris’ point-after, which gave Westlake a 13-12 advantage.

Westlake scored again with 10 minutes 53 seconds to play on a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Crook (seven of 17, 91 yards, one touchdown, one interception) to receiver Billy Miller. Morris’ kick put the Warriors ahead, 20-12.

Kevin Sass led the Chargers (4-3, 3-1) in rushing with 54 yards--but had only seven after halftime--and one touchdown in 17 carries. Agoura quarterback Ray Howden completed nine of 17 passes for 94 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Howden looked sharp at times but was unable to lead the Chargers to any second-half points.

Play was stopped for almost 20 minutes in the first quarter because of an injury suffered by Charger senior defensive back/kicker Cameron Knox. Knox was taken off the field in an ambulance to Westlake Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released.

The Chargers held a 12-6 halftime advantage despite being outgained, 146 to 117. Westlake looked strong in the first quarter but played poorly throughout the second quarter.

Westlake took the opening kickoff and drove 74 yards in six plays to take its only lead of the first half, 6-0, on a 38-yard touchdown run by Bedell. Morris’ point-after kick missed.

The score remained 6-0 until Howden and Billy Heywood combined on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 5:24 to play before halftime. The touchdown capped an eight-play, 65-yard drive. Eric Fitzgerald’s failed point-after attempt left the score tied, 6-6.

On the ensuing possession, Westlake helped Agoura close the half with the lead. A pass by Crook was intercepted by Damon Blechen in Agoura territory and Blechen returned the ball to the Warriors’ 37-yard line. From there, Howden engineered a nifty eight-play drive that was capped by Sass’ six-yard touchdown run that gave the Chargers a 12-6 lead.