El Toro Survives When Western Can’t Convert

Western blew an early 10-point lead and couldn’t convert two desperation--and controversial--pass attempts in the waning moments Friday night and lost to visiting El Toro, 20-16.

But it was the offensive problems--including a fourth-quarter clipping penalty that killed a good-looking drive--that was on the mind of Western Coach Toby Howell after the game.

Howell reasoned that the Pioneers put themselves in dire straits that led to their wild, but unsuccessful finish that had El Toro players celebrating wildly.

“We had our chances, but we didn’t execute down the stretch,” Howell said. “Our offense was spotty and we couldn’t get anything going like we did in the first half.”

The finish gave the impression just two games into the young season, however, that this was an intense playoff game.

El Toro (1-1) used a 25-yard touchdown run from running back Ryan Switzer to grab its four-point lead with three minutes 12 seconds left in the game.

The Pioneers (1-1) marched from their own 24 to the Charger 27 with 53 seconds left.

On second and six, Western quarterback Jason Baughman launched a pass into the end zone where slot back Will Ruffin made an acrobatic leap over El Toro defender David Kwon and came down with the ball and what looked like the go-ahead score. But after several seconds without a signal, the officials waved the play off, ruling that Ruffin had stepped out of bounds. That was a surprise to Kwon and El Toro Coach Mike Milner.

“It looked good to me,” Milner said.

Baughman regrouped the team and on the next play passed into the end zone, where El Toro’s Jimmy May grabbed it in front of a would-be receiver. The ball popped out of his hands and Western’s Jeff LaMedola grabbed it for what looked like another go-ahead score. But the ball popped loose when he hit the ground and it was ruled no touchdown. Baughman’s fourth-down toss under heavy pressure with 25 seconds to go was incomplete.

Both teams got excellent efforts from their kickers.

Western’s Kyle Stanley had field goals of 19, 37 and 26 yards, the latter staking the Pioneers to 16-13 lead with 11:01 to play.

El Toro’s Mike Marquez had field goals of 25 and 24 yards.

Western running back Trevel Jackson finished with 92 yards in 22 carries. Baughman finished with 114 yards passing.