Video Was Educational TV for Western

There was a certain degree of angst when the Western football team assembled to watch videotape of its last-second loss to El Toro the night before.

From accounts on both sides of the field, the Pioneers appeared to have scored the winning touchdown with 53 seconds left. But after some delay, referees waved off Jason Baughman’s 27-yard pass to receiver Will Ruffin, saying that Ruffin stepped out of bounds before entering the end zone. El Toro wound up winning, 20-16, in the second week of the season.

Sure, Western Coach Toby Howell thought his Pioneers had pulled the game out, but he was more critical about the “spotty” offensive effort, particularly the lack of blocking for standout running back Trevell Jackson, who was gang-tackled nearly every time he touched the ball.

During that Saturday morning meeting in the second week of the season, the team regrouped.

“We kind of got down on ourselves and it could have gone either way,” center Aaron Cisneros said. “It was a tough loss to take.”

What came out of that meeting has gone a long way toward helping Western (9-2) get back on track and advance to tonight’s Southern Section Division IX semifinal against top-seeded La Mirada (12-0). Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at La Mirada High.

Western’s only other loss was to Orange League champion Brea Olinda, which plays in the division’s other semifinal Saturday against Lakewood Mayfair at Cerritos Gahr.

Jackson, who has rushed for 1,765 yards and 22 touchdowns this season, said early on he felt as if he had to carry the team.

“It was a lot of pressure,” Jackson said. “It was really hard early in the season. I had butterflies in my stomach. I was very nervous.”

After a 1-1 start, things began to click and the Pioneers rolled off four consecutive victories, outscoring opponents, 160-34. Brea’s dominance in its 38-10 victory stunned Western, but the Pioneers haven’t lost since.

Some changes to the offensive line during the season helped.

“We have a lot better team chemistry on the offensive line now,” said Howell. “They’ve come a long way. They’re functioning very well as a unit right now.”

William Thomas, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound junior, moved to the left offensive tackle spot once occupied by 6-foot, 290-pound senior Jeremiah Goyena, who remained at defensive tackle. John Bower, a 5-10, 295-pound defensive tackle, took over at right guard on offense. Jacob Chavira, a 6-3, 285-pound junior, remained at right offensive tackle and 6-1, 225-pound senior David Mancha, who also plays linebacker, moved from offensive tackle to guard.

Howell also attributed his team’s success to the other running backs working hard to take the pressure off Jackson, who figured to be a marked man after rushing for 1,550 yards and 21 touchdowns last year.

Ruffin, a wing back, is averaging 10.6 yards per carry and has 11 touchdowns. Junior halfback Jamiah Williamson is averaging 9.2 yards a carry and also has 11 touchdowns.

Those efforts have gone a long way toward soothing Jackson’s mind.

“Seeing other people do big things and making big plays and stuff has allowed me to be like myself, as I was last year,” Jackson said. “Last year, I just came out and played.”

Cisneros said each running back presents a different set of problems for opponents.

“Ruffin has speed,” he said. “If you can get him past the first line of tacklers, he usually makes things happen.

“Williamson. . . . Just give him the ball and he makes things happen,” Cisneros said. “He doesn’t go down easy. He’s very slippery.”

Despite Jackson’s early qualms, Cisneros believes his teammate would have had success this season no matter what.

“He just comes at you and pounds it up the middle,” Cisneros said. “We try to help him, but he can probably do it with any line. He doesn’t give up easy. He hits the holes well and doesn’t go down without a fight.”