Wolverines Win Despite Clay’s Rushing Heroics

A touch of this and a bit of that overshadowed a whole bunch of running by Dante Clay.

As a result, Harvard-Westlake High (2-0) recorded a 36-22 nonleague victory Saturday over visiting North Hollywood, despite a 233-yard rushing performance by Clay, the Huskies’ standout senior tailback.

“I just think that people don’t really know what we have,” Harvard-Westlake senior Steve Durbin said.

Durbin typified the Wolverines’ attack with his catching, running and punting. Durbin had three receptions for 112 yards. He also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in the final seconds of the first half after North Hollywood had rallied from a 14-0 deficit to pull even.

Finally, Durbin launched a 70-yard punt on the final play of the third quarter to pin North Hollywood (1-1) at its nine-yard-line. Trailing, 29-22, the Huskies did not score again.

“He’ll probably do even more for us,” Harvard-Westlake Coach Dave Bennett said of Durbin. “We’re not opposed to putting him in the backfield.”

Sam Hornblower rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns, and quarterback John Terzian completed seven of 11 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown.

“I certainly like the balanced attack,” Hornblower said. “And we were well-coached for Dante Clay.”

Harvard-Westlake’s defense spent much of the afternoon chasing Clay, who repeatedly spun away from would-be tacklers. Clay had touchdown runs of six and 10 yards in his 29 carries.

However, the Wolverines stopped Clay and a team of talented backs when it mattered.

North Hollywood amassed 341 rushing yards but passed for only 34. David Harlow added 70 yards in 15 carries.

North Hollywood drove to the Wolverines’ 36-yard line with less than a minute to play, but Harlow was stripped of the ball and Harvard’s Justin Child recovered and ran 64 yards for a touchdown.

A downcast Clay said North Hollywood played below its capability.

“We just played lazy--that’s all I can say,” Clay said. “Harvard-Westlake played a lot better game. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Harvard-Westlake jumped to a 7-0 lead two minutes into the game when Terzian connected with Brent Pantell on a seven-yard play. The Wolverines extended the lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on a six-yard run by Hornblower.

Clay’s 27-yard run on the Huskies’ ensuing possession set up his six-yard score. With 22 seconds left in the half, quarterback Cameron Heflin connected with Harlow for a 22-yard scoring play. Clay ran two yards for a two-point conversion to tie the score.