Westlake Puts Hurt on Panthers : Football: Injuries don’t stop Warriors from overwhelming Newbury Park, 28-7.

Funny thing about the Westlake High football team:

“The more guys we got hurt, the better we played,” quarterback Scott Spruill said after Westlake defeated Newbury Park, 28-7, in a Marmonte League game Friday night at Agoura High.

Westlake (5-1, 3-0 in league play) trailed, 7-6, in the third quarter when players started dropping.

Spruill, who suffered a bruised right elbow in the first half, came out of the game after Westlake’s first possession of the second half.

He was replaced by Brian Shubin, who led the Warriors on three scoring drives.

At the end of the third quarter, Westlake receiver Billy Miller exited with a sore left knee. Miller, who caught six passes for 108 yards, said he will see the doctor for a diagnosis, but he said he probably would be able to play next week against Royal.

Filling the offensive void left by Miller’s absence was tailback Jamal Harris. Harris, recovering from a sore knee that kept him out of contact drills this week, gained 115 yards and scored all three of Westlake’s second-half touchdowns. He gained 111 yards in the second half.

“I was hoping I could do something when Billy was out,” Harris said, “because that’s when we really needed it.”

Shubin completed five of 10 passes for 80 yards in relief of Spruill, who completed six of seven for 90 yards.

Newbury Park (3-3, 1-2), which has lost three of its last four games, alternated quarterbacks.

Sophomore Chris Czernek made his first start of the season, completing 14 of 27 passes for 169 yards. Justin Vint completed only one of eight for 21 yards.

Ed Patterson had five receptions for 89 yards for the Panthers. Newbury Park’s leading rusher was Brock Diediker with 21 yards.

Westlake led only 6-0 at halftime on Craig Walendy’s 32-yard run because Newbury Park controlled the ball.

The Panthers took a 7-6 lead on their first possession of the third quarter, when a short punt gave them the ball at the Westlake 36, setting up Diediker’s one-yard plunge.