Westminster Able to Hold Off Costa Mesa

Ryan Taylor’s 17-yard pass into the end zone fell incomplete with six seconds remaining, enabling Westminster to escape with a 12-8 victory over Costa Mesa in a nonleague game Thursday at Newport Harbor High.

Costa Mesa (1-1) had driven from the Westminster 36 and kept its drive alive with four first downs, two coming on fourth-down plays.

The Lions (2-0) took a 6-0 lead with 2:42 left in the first half when Gene Cervantes leaped over Costa Mesa’s Chris Mokede and caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Manuel Tapia.

Westminster increased its lead on the opening possession of the second half when Tapia scrambled 18 yards to the five and Sparky Kale ran it in from there.

Taylor’s 26-yard pass to Brian Reeves on the Mustangs’ first possession of the fourth quarter set up their only score. Reeves, a 5-11, 185-pound wide receiver, outjumped two defenders on the sideline.

Ray Ohrel, who rushed for 190 yards in 29 carries, scored on a five-yard run and then ran in the two-point conversion.

Christan Rodriquez rushed for 121 yards in 14 carries to lead Westminster.