Harvard Turns to Lemkin

After Harvard-Westlake High lost standout running back Abed Abusaleh to a shoulder injury in the first quarter, quarterback Derek Lemkin took control of the offense and led the Wolverines into the semifinals.

Lemkin completed seven of 10 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns as Harvard (10-1-1) defeated host St. Joseph in a Southern Section Division IX quarterfinal game Friday night. In the semifinals next Friday, Harvard will play Atascadero.

“He put two or three passes right on the money,” Harvard Coach Dave Bennett said of Lemkin. “He’s all heart.”

Lemkin connected with receiver Kadar Lewis on scoring pass plays of 69 and 17 yards. Lewis finished with four receptions for 114 yards.

Lemkin also threw a 15-yard scoring pass to Lew Roberts. Running back Merlin De Martinis had 56 yards in 22 carries.

Lemkin helped Harvard build a 23-7 lead, but St. Joseph cut the lead to 23-21 when fullback Steve Kapphahn scored on a one-yard run with 6 minutes 15 seconds left in the game.

The Wolverines recovered the onside kick, then took more than four minutes off the clock.

St. Joseph (8-4) took over at its 23-yard line with 1:47 left, but threw four consecutive incomplete passes.