Preston, Westlake Win Hands Down

Casey Preston thought his hand was broken.

His passing hand, no less.

But Preston shook off the crunching hit he took in the second quarter, threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another and caused general chaos to pace Westlake High’s 37-15 nonleague victory over Ventura on Friday.

The master of the Westlake offense? Preston doesn’t think so.

“We’ve got three great receivers and our offensive line played great,” Preston said.

Joey Cuppari had five catches for 136 yards, Elliott Kane had five for 128 yards and Scott Swaving had three for 69 yards.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Westlake (2-0) was ahead, 37-8.

The Cougars (1-1) made it interesting in the first quarter when Steve Moraldo caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Mike Anderson to tie the game, 8-8.

But the Warriors responded with a methodical 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by Preston’s one-yard keeper.

Running back Jonathan Weems wasn’t so methodical on Westlake’s second possession of the second quarter.

Weems was stopped on a run up the middle, bounced outside and found room down the left sideline for a 62-yard touchdown run and a 23-8 lead. He finished with 97 yards in 17 carries.

On the third play of the second half, Preston, who completed 15 of 24 passes, called an audible and hit Kane on a timing pattern down the left sideline for a 66-yard touchdown. Nice call, game over.

J.J. Jackson had 87 yards in 21 carries for Ventura.