VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : Buena Is Run Ragged : Southern Section: Julian Lambert’s four touchdowns fuel Westlake’s 42-27 victory.

Smile, kid.

Westlake High, the masters of the aerial attack the past few years, kept their game plan low to the ground and in the arms of running back Julian Lambert, who got out of the dentist’s chair in time to play Thursday night.

Lambert, who missed nearly a week of practice after undergoing a root canal and had seven stitches taken out of his mouth on Wednesday, chewed up the Buena defense during a 42-27 nonleague victory for the host Warriors.

Lambert ran for 124 yards and four touchdowns in 27 carries, demonstrating Westlake’s more balanced offense.

“We really feel people overplay our throwing game,” Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said. “We’re trying to keep people from guessing pass all the time.”

Penn State-bound quarterback Zac Wasserman took care of his chores, too, completing 14 of 21 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the season opener for both teams.

But Lambert had reason to smile, gaining tough yards inside and scooting outside when necessary.

“It was coach’s game plan, but it starts up front,” Lambert said. “The offensive line did their job.”

Buena did not roll over despite playing without Jake Scott, its leading tackler from a year ago, who sat out the game because of recent shoulder surgery.

The Bulldogs led, 14-7, midway through the second quarter on a 25-yard pass play from Kyle Loughman to Cody Murphy.

But Lambert scored on runs of four and 15 yards within a 1:23 span, giving Westlake the lead for good.

Westlake, ranked No. 3 in Southern Section Division IV, and Buena, ranked No. 4, could play again in the playoffs, a potential meeting that Buena Coach Rick Scott said he would welcome.

“If they’re the best team in the county, I think we’ve got a shot at getting them later,” Scott said. “We had them on their heels and put a real scare into them.”

Loughman completed 17 of 25 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. Buena’s D.J. Blackledge rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown.