GAME OF THE WEEK : Bad Case of ‘Oops’ Sinks Manual Arts

Manual Arts receivers dropped four potential touchdown passes and the offense committed seven turnovers in a 30-18 loss to Westchester in a Coastal Conference game Thursday.

The loss, however, worked in Manual Arts’ favor.

The Toilers, 6-4 overall and 5-2 in conference, slipped from a potential last-seeded team in the 4-A playoffs to second seed in the 3-A playoffs, where they have a better opportunity to win a championship.

Westchester improved to 9-1 and 7-0 in conference and was seeded sixth in the 4-A playoffs.

The Comets did their best to aid Manual Arts, committing two first-quarter turnovers that led to Toiler touchdowns. Westchester quarterback Damion Ward fumbled when Luis Interiano tackled him in the end zone, and Thomas Brown recovered for the score. Jermaine Estrella intercepted a Ward pass and ran 66 yards for a touchdown to give Manual Arts a 12-6 lead.

Manual Arts had a chance to increase its lead in the second quarter when quarterback John Hildreth threw a pass that deflected off Timothy Boykins’ fingertips. Punter Lumar Lightburn then watched as a bad snap sailed over his head, and Westchester got the ball at the Toilers’ 14-yard line.

Two plays later, Ward hit Tony Griffin on a 14-yard out pattern and then again for the two-point conversion to put the Comets ahead, 15-12. Griffin had three receptions--all for touchdowns.

The Toilers committed three fumbles, and quarterbacks Hildreth and Willie Laffitte combined to throw four interceptions.