Marina Wins After Westminster Rally Comes Up Slightly Short

Westminster rolled up 429 yards in offense Friday night. It needed one more foot.

The Lions came up just short on a two-point conversion with 3 minutes 21 seconds left and lost to Marina, 28-27, at Westminster High.

Westminster had pulled within one on a 76-yard scoring drive. Running back Sparky Kale’s 38-yard run set up his five-yard touchdown.

Ricky Quintana caught Spradling’s pass in the flat on the conversion, but Quintana was stopped about a foot short of the goal line.

Westminster (1-3) scored three touchdowns in the last three minutes of the first half to take a 21-7 lead. Quarterback Shaun Spradling led drives of 86 and 84 yards, taking the ball in himself on the second to gave the Lions a 14-7 lead with 27 seconds left.

With one second left, Marina (1-3) called time out. Scott Austin’s pass was deflected and intercepted by Donnie Garcia, who returned it 36 yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 lead.

Marina’s Eric Maag returned the second-half kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown. After a Westminster fumble later in the quarter, Marina tied the score on a two-yard run by Frank Armstrong.

Marina defensive back Bobby Pluth’s interception, one of three he had in the game, set up the go-ahead touchdown, a 49-yard pass play from Austin to Armstrong.