Western Surges Past Pacifica

Western High’s high-octane running game needed a kick-start from the defense before shifting into high gear to score 27 fourth-quarter points on the way to a 44-27 victory over Pacifica in a Southern Section Division IX quarterfinal Friday at Western.

The victory put at-large entry Western (8-4) into the semifinals to play Orange League rival and second-seeded Brea Olinda next week.

Western junior Rick Devinney, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound defensive tackle, intercepted a deflected pass and returned in nine yards for a touchdown to give Western a 15-14 lead with 5 minutes 40 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

“Devinney’s interception was the turning point,” Western Coach Toby Howell said.

Pacifica (6-5-1) had taken a 14-9 lead with 9:37 seconds remaining in the third after quarterback Joey Fuske scored on an 11-yard run.

And Pacifica looked like it had the momentum, considering it held Western’s top running back, Jamiah Williamson, to 52 yards in 19 carries.

But Western wing backs David Gober who had 186 yards in 14 carries, and Will Ruffin, who had 121 yards in 12 carries, broke loose outside on sweeps in the third and fourth quarters. Western finished with 397 yards rushing.

“No matter who was carrying the ball, we just wanted to go out and pound [Pacifica],” Ruffin said. “The O-line did great tonight.”

Gober had runs of 24 and 23 yards to help set up Williamson’s second touchdown to make it 24-14 on the first play of the fourth quarter. Then Western’s Ray Zinck intercepted a pass and Ruffin scored on a 54-yard run with 10:22 remaining to make it 31-14.

Ruffin ended Pacifica’s next drive with an interception and Gober scored two plays later on a 19-yard run to make it 37-14 with 9:30 remaining.

Western senior Betty Stewart kicked the extra point and rout was on.

“We’ve been to the semifinals four of the past seven years,” Howell said. “We’re just trying to get to that next step.”