Kale Gives Westminster First Spark

Sparky Kale hardly sounds like somebody who could pose much of a problem on a football field. His name seems better suited to being a sidekick on some Saturday morning cartoon than a slashing tailback from Westminster High.

Kale started his senior season Friday by rushing for 188 yards in 18 carries and scoring three touchdowns as the host Lions beat La Quinta, 41-19.

Kale’s solid conditioning showed most in the second half when he gained 103 yards including a 38-yard run.

Kale, who said his real first name is “Sparky,” dominated Westminster’s final scoring drive, accounting for all 58 yards.

He had consecutive runs of 15 and 26 yards, caught a pass for another 11 yards, then scored on a six-yard run.

The touchdown came with 3 minutes 29 seconds left in the game and gave Westminster a 41-19 lead.

“People have to honor him,” Westminster Coach Stan Clark said. “And when they do, that will open things up for others.”

Ricky Quintana was the story early for Westminster. He scored on runs of seven and three yards as the Lions took a 14-0 lead.

Kale scored from four yards four minutes into the second quarter and Westminster seemed on its way to a blowout.

But La Quinta climbed back into the game, going 59 yards in three plays for a touchdown. The score came on a 20-yard pass from quarterback Daniel Almazan to tight end James Gibson with 7:53 left in the half.

La Quinta then forced Westminster to punt on its next possession and La Quinta spirits were high. But they dipped suddenly when Westminster defensive back Shaun Spradling intercepted a pass and raced 36 yards for a touchdown and 28-7 lead with 5:42 to go in the half.

Kale scored from a yard out midway in the third quarter to put Westminster up, 34-7.

La Quinta defensive back Thi Huyhn went 40 yards with an interception for a touchdown and Almazan went four yards up the middle for another score and La Quinta was down, 34-19, with 2:30 left in the third quarter.

Jhamal Dawkins rushed for 133 yards in 18 carries for La Quinta.