Covarrubias’ Four Carries Enough for Western to Win : DIVISION VI

Strong winds whipped through Glover Stadium all night, but it was Western senior Jason Covarrubias who eventually blew away visiting West Covina South Hills.

The Pioneers (7-3-1) overcame a poor first-half performance, thanks to a pair of Covarrubias’ rushing touchdowns, and defeated the Huskies, 28-20, in the opening round of the Southern Section Division VI playoffs. Western meets the winner of Friday night’s Ganesha-Rosemead game in the quarterfinals next week.

Covarrubias, who carried the ball only four times for 64 yards, found the end zone on runs of 19 and eight yards to power the Pioneers into the second round.

“He was one senior who came ready to play in the fourth quarter,” Western Coach Jim Howell said.

“We really played with a lot of heart in the second half,” said Covarrubias, who also caught one pass for 29-yards and kicked four PAT’s for the Pioneers.

The Huskies (7-4) opened a quick 7-0 lead after Brett Pierce raced 50 yards with an intercepted pass from Pioneer quarterback Brandon Brennan.

Western battled back, however, as Josh Christensen returned a Huskies’ punt 49 yards with 7:21 remaining in the first half. But the Pioneers could not hold the lead as Pierce, who finished with seven catches for 109 yards, caught a Jason Weidder pass from three yards out to close the half.

The Huskies opened a 20-7 lead as Brennan, who threw four interceptions, was picked off by Harold Carter, who raced 63 yards for a touchdown.

Covarrubias then showcased his talent, along with a one-yard touchdown run by Dawn Johnson, to lift Western to the victory.