Huntington Beach Clinches Tie for Sunset League Title

Huntington Beach kept its record perfect and clinched at least a tie for the Sunset League title with a 49-7 thrashing of Westminster High Friday night.

The Oilers (9-0, 6-0) built a 35-0 halftime lead, holding the Lions (1-8, 1-5) to zero net rushing yards in the half and overcoming 80 yards in penalties.

Justin Flagg scored the first touchdown for the visitors, blasting in from a yard out to cap a 76-yard, 10-play drive. Huntington Beach did not cover as much ground on its other first-half touchdowns, with their next four scoring “drives” including a total of two offensive plays.

After Flagg’s touchdown, Eric Escobedo intercepted a pass from Jerry Allison on the next play and returned it 57 yards for an Oiler touchdown.

Huntington Beach increased its margin to 21-0 midway through the second quarter when Westminster muffed punt reception and Huntington Beach recovered. Levi Schuck hooked up with Josh Holland on a 20-yard scoring pass on the next play for the third Oiler touchdown.

Huntington Beach added two scores before the half. Nick Ziegler recovered a fumble at the Westminster four-yard line to set up a scoring pass from Schuck to tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Lions were forced to punt on their next series, but a wild bouncing snap was picked up by Gonzalez at the Westminster 17 and run in to raise the margin to 35-0.