McCarthy and Cope Spark Westminster to Victory

Westminster quarterback Elijah McCarthy threw for a career-high 280 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Lions to a 31-13 Golden West League victory over Ocean View Friday night at Westminster High.

McCarthy completed 14 of 21 passes, including five to fullback Mike Cope for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Westminster (2-5, 1-1) drove 75 yards on five plays early in the second quarter, capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass from McCarthy to Cope.

Ocean View (0-7, 0-2) tied the score on a 66-yard interception return by David Hatch with 5:38 left in the half. The Lions scored on their next possession, driving 64 yards in 11 plays with running back Erick Arthur going in from six yards with 36 seconds left in the half.

Westminster opened the second half with a 76-yard, 13-play drive, capped by an eight-yard pass from McCarthy to tight end Tommy Tuggle with 5:27 left in the third quarter. McCarthy and Cope concluded their big night with an 86-yard scoring play on the last play of the third quarter.

Ocean View’s Jeremiah Armendariz scored on a one-yard run, early in the fourth quarter to cap scoring.

Arthur led all rushers with 115 yards in 23 carries. Wide receiver Nathan Coelho caught five passes for 81 yards.