Wittman’s Three-for-Three Performance Leads Western

If somebody gave out a high school football efficiency award, Western wide receiver Jon Wittman would likely be Friday night’s winner.

Wittman made the most of his three catches against Magnolia, turning them into touchdowns of 50, 25 and 75 yards as Western shut out the Sentinels, 49-0, in an Orange League game at Western High.

The 6-foot senior was a most unlikely hero for the Pioneers, considering he entered the game with only seven catches in six games this season and was questionable after missing two days of practice with a sprained ankle.

But Wittman managed to get behind Magnolia’s safeties three times and Western quarterback Mike Hicks found him.

“We have a lot of quality players on this team,” Wittman said. “I guess everybody gets to have their big night sometime along the way. When they do pass it to me, I just try and make something good happen.”

Hicks, the county’s No. 2-rated passer, completed six of 12 passes for 211 yards and added a 10-yard touchdown scramble during the Pioneers’ 21-point third quarter, which buried Magnolia after Western took a 21-0 lead to halftime.

Kickoffs plagued Magnolia (1-6, 0-2 in league) in the second half. The Sentinels attempted, and failed on an onside kick to open the third quarter, giving Western the ball at midfield.

After Western took a 35-0 lead on Wittman’s third touchdown catch, the Pioneers (4-2-1, 1-0-1) got the ball right back when Magnolia’s deep men watched the ensuing kickoff roll to the three-yard line, where it was downed by Wittman.

Rodney Eason took the ball three yards for a touchdown on the next play.