PREP EXTRA: SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : Bad Snap on Punt Helps Diamond Bar Knock Off Top-Seeded Westlake

Not even Billy Miller would have been able to complete the connection that knocked Westlake out of the Southern Section Division III playoffs.

The Warriors led by three points, when a bad snap sailed two feet over the head of punter Brian Shubin early in the fourth quarter.

Three plays after Shubin covered the ball for a 21-yard loss, tailback Lathian Tyler scored on a seven-yard run for the go-ahead touchdown as Diamond Bar stunned top-seeded Westlake, 25-16, Friday night at Walnut High School.

Tyler scored on a three-yard run with about one minute remaining to cap a six-minute drive and seal the victory for the Brahmas. He finished with 59 yards in 20 carries. The Diamond Bar option attack accounted for 195 rushing yards.

“It gave us fits,” Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said. “We don’t see a lot of it but we missed some responsibilities.”

Diamond Bar (9-3) also controlled a Warrior offense that averaged nearly 400 yards a game. Quarterback Scott Spruill completed 11 of 22 passes for 150 yards, but Miller was held to 58 yards on his five receptions.

The Westlake rushing attack was held to 129 yards, 36 in the second half.

Diamond Bar quarterback Erik Stidham completed nine of 20 passes for 142 yards and ran for 83 yards in 17 carries.

“We saw a lot of film on Westlake and we thought they weren’t going to be able to handle the option well,” Stidham said. “After the bad snap we knew we would put points on the board.”

Although the Warriors (10-2) came into game with a balanced attack, Westlake depended mostly on the run to build its early lead.

Tailback Jamal Harris’ 39-yard run on the opening play of the game set up Spruill’s one-yard sneak.

Junior Steve Alysworth returned a punt 47 yards to the Diamond Bar 27-yard line to set up the second score. Fullback Craig Wallendy scored on a one-yard dive five plays later for a 13-0 lead late in the first quarter.

The Warriors missed the extra point after being penalized 15 yards for celebrating the score.

The Brahmas came back on the passing and running of Stidham. Diamond Bar drove 72 yards in nine plays, scoring on a two-yard run by Stidham.