Hart Adds Smash to Dash

VALENCIA —  It was billed as a game between the high-powered passing offenses of Hart and Westlake highs.

But in the end, it was some old-fashioned power running that turned the tide.

Hart registered an 18-14 nonleague victory Thursday night, cementing the decision with a 15-yard touchdown run on which 6-foot, 225-pound John Harrison ran through three tackles.

Harrison’s bull-in-a-china-shop routine came with 5:08 to play and the Indians (3-0) needed a defensive stand in addition to hang on when Westlake (1-2) drove to the Hart 17-yard line with 2:30 to play.

On fourth down and seven, Warrior quarterback Zac Wasserman was sacked by Harrison and fumbled, with Patrick Norton recovering to effectively end the game.

Though Wasserman and Hart’s David Neill entered the game with gaudy statistics, neither had a good night.

Wasserman, the region’s leading passer through two weeks, completed 16 of 30 passes for 188 yards and an interception that was returned for a touchdown. He was sacked six times.

Neill, who was ranked third in passing among area quarterbacks entering the game, completed 14 of 28 passes for 138 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. One of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown. Neill was sacked five times.

Hart’s offense averaged an area-high 489.5 yards through two weeks but only produced 226 yards against Westlake, which managed 207.

Westlake receiver Joey Cuppari, who came in with a region-high 20 receptions for 337 yards and six touchdowns, caught five passes for 66 yards.

Hart opened the scoring three minutes into the second quarter on Jerry Owens’ 56-yard interception return for a touchdown. Wasserman tried to hit Travis Campbell with a quick toss to the sideline but Owens leaped between the two to pick off the ball and had a clear path to the end zone.

Westlake answered with a nine-play, 71-yard scoring drive that ate up 5:07 and was sparked by a 24-yard kickoff return from Jared Kearns. J.R. Ross capped the march with a one-yard run. Scott Mathis added the extra point.

The Warriors scored again with 26 seconds to play in the half. A Hail Mary pass by Neill intended for Owens on second and 10 from the Westlake 49-yard line was intercepted by Cuppari, who weaved his way 92 yards for a touchdown. Mathis added the extra point for a 14-6 halftime advantage.

Hart’s next break came late in the third quarter when Ross fumbled and the Indians’ Norton recovered at the Westlake 34.

Three plays later, Neill faked a handoff into the line before lobbing a pass to Owens for a five-yard touchdown. Hart’s try for a two-point conversion failed and Westlake led, 14-12, a minute into the fourth quarter.

Midway through the quarter, Hart received a punt and drove 54 yards in six plays for the winning score. Key plays were a 16-yard completion from Neill to Jared Bazar after a lengthy scramble, and a pass interference call against Westlake that was followed on the next play by Harrison’s scoring run.

Harrison rushed nine times for 65 yards, all in the second half after backfield mate Billy Brecht was taken to Henry Mayo Hospital at halftime.

Brecht was in good condition, according to a hospital spokesperson, but was to be held overnight for head and neck injuries.