Westminster Roars Past Pacifica, 24-7

Westminster relied on big plays to rally after a slow start and topple Pacifica, 24-7, Thursday night at Bolsa Grande High School.

Midway through the second quarter, the Lions had a negative net-yardage total and were fortunate to trail by only a touchdown, thanks to two Pacifica turnovers. Then, the Lions took over.

Leonard Ibarra caught a pass from Jerry Allison and danced around tacklers, down the left sideline for a 70-yard scoring play, tying the score at 7-7 with 4 minutes 29 seconds left in the half.

Heath Wilcox got the ball back for Westminster, intercepting a Ryan Johansen pass and returning it 58 yards to the Mariner 31. Allison hooked up with Jimmy Adkisson two plays later for a 37-yard touchdown and a 14-7 Westminster lead.

The Lions went to the ground game after the half, holding on to the ball for 18 minutes in the second half while not allowing the Mariners past midfield until the game was out of reach.

Although Leonard Ibarra, Westminster’s leading rusher, was held to 12 yards, fullback Linzey Koahou had 33 yards in 11 carries, and four reserve backs picked up 42 yards in seven carries to help keep the clock moving.

The Westminster defense held Pacifica without a first down for the first 19 minutes of the second half, and the offense was adding to the lead. David Jarrick capped a third-quarter drive with a 28-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead, and Allison accounted for the final score, falling on a Lion fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.