ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREP EXTRA : Defense Is Difference for Western

Western’s defense gave up only 189 total yards as the Pioneers defeated Loara, 10-6, in a nonleague game Friday night at Western High School.

“Our defense kept us in this game,” Western Coach Jim Howell said. “Our offensive line struggled and we dropped a couple key passes.”

Western quarterback Dean Chambers, who remains undefeated in games he has started and finished since his sophomore year, was sacked seven times and was forced to hurry his passes.

One of those passes was dropped at the seven-yard line by Vince Branstetter on third down early in the second quarter. Western (1-0) had to settle for a 45-yard David Bell field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

Chambers completed only four of 11 passes in the first half and had a pass intercepted by Garrett Ware.

Loara had a chance to score early in the third quarter. But on fourth down from Western’s 15-yard line, the Saxons went for it and quarterback Archie Lappin’s pass was incomplete.

“At that time we had the momentum and wanted a touchdown,” Loara Coach John deFries said. “I felt it was a good decision.”

Western finally scored a touchdown when Josh Burdett rushed two yards into the end zone for a 10-0 fourth-quarter lead.

Loara (0-1) bounced back when Lappin completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Marcus McBride. The two-point conversion pass was incomplete.