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Preston’s Touch Drives Westlake

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Casey Preston knew what to expect. The Westlake High quarterback had watched enough game film to suspect that Crescenta Valley would blitz on almost every play, sending seven and eight players across the line.

“It’s scary,” Preston said. “Our plan was to get the ball off quick.”

And accurately. Preston completed 15 of 25 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns as the Warriors crushed Crescenta Valley, 34-0, in a Division III playoff game at Glendale High on Friday.

As usual, Joey Cuppari was Preston’s favorite target, catching eight passes for 149 yards and one touchdown. Running back Jonathan Weems provided offensive punch as well, scoring on two short receptions and a 41-yard run off a fake punt.

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“We have a lot of weapons,” Weems said. “I guess we just opened it up.”

Coming into the game with a suspect pass defense, Crescenta Valley was hoping to keep the ball away from the Westlake offense by putting together long drives and eating up the clock with its ground-based attack.

Most of those hopes rested on the shoulders of running back Kenny Pritchett, who rushed 23 times for 103 yards. But every time his team got close to the end zone, the Westlake defense came up strong.

“I don’t know what happened to us,” Pritchett said. “I really couldn’t tell you.”

At least Crescenta Valley made things interesting on the opening drive. After starting with an incomplete flanker reverse pass, the Falcons switched to a double-wing formation, an offense they had installed only a few days ago.

The look seemed to confuse Westlake as Pritchett broke off runs of 16 and 33 yards. But when the drive stalled, Westlake blocked a 25-yard field-goal attempt.

“That was huge,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Alan Eberhart. “It took away our momentum.”

Throwing quick slants to beat the rush, Preston completed three passes to Cuppari, the third for a four-yard touchdown.

And just as the Warrior offense warmed up, Crescenta Valley began turning the ball over. Pritchett threw an interception, which led to Weems’ six-yard touchdown reception. Then Nick Yerton fumbled a fumblerooski. Four plays later, Weems broke a fake punt up the right sideline.

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“They threw a lot at us,” Eberhart said.

That included a generous helping of defense. Westlake held Crescenta Valley to just 232 yards in offense. The Warriors came away with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

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