Harvard-Westlake Squanders Opportunities

The fourth-quarter heroics of quarterback Merlin DeMartinis were not enough for the Harvard-Westlake High football team Saturday, as the Wolverines lost to San Marino, 14-7, in a nonleague game at Harvard-Westlake.

DeMartinis, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior, scored on a 31-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to pull within a touchdown.

In the final three minutes, DeMartinis drove Harvard-Westlake from its 43-yard-line to the San Marino seven, but the drive stalled when he was sacked.

San Marino (1-2) scored in the second quarter on William Chang’s two-yard run, which capped a nine-play, 46-yard drive. Nathan Decker added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Titans struck again in the third quarter when Chang scored on a 10-yard run.

Midway through the final quarter, San Marino punted from its 24 but the kick by Gary Bechler was blocked by the Wolverines’ Duncan Kim.

Harvard-Westlake took over at the San Marino 30. Two plays later, DeMartinis took a snap in shotgun formation and bolted up the middle for a touchdown on a quarterback draw play. Greg Nortman’s extra point cut San Marino’s lead to seven.

When the Wolverines reached the San Marino seven in the final minute, DeMartinis was thrown for a loss of 21 yards on fourth down.

“On that last play I wanted to go to the tight end on the left side but there were four guys in my face and there was nowhere for me to go,” DeMartinis said.

DeMartinis completed four of nine passes and threw an interception.

Abed Abusaleh of Harvard-Westlake rushed 20 times for 63 yards.