Improving Westminster Powers Past La Quinta

Jason Milane rushed for 128 yards and all three Westminster touchdowns as the Lions knocked off La Quinta, 20-8, Thursday in a nonleague game at Garden Grove High.

Playoff-bound Westminster (3-5-1) outgained its city rival, 343-181, and played solid defense. Linebackers Corey Riggins and Jared Jenkins and linemen Larry Kiklas and Todd Willingham led the way as Westminster gave up just 65 yards through three quarters.

“We’re improving all the time,” Westminster Coach Ted McMillen said. “We had a big setback last week [losing, 41-0, to Saddleback] and the kids bounced back and played hard.”

Westminster fumbled the ball away on its first possession, but needed just three plays after a La Quinta punt to take the lead. Milane went up the middle 38 yards for the score.

The Lions increased the lead before the half after Tony Flores’ interception gave them the ball in Aztec territory. Milane went three yards around the left side with 54 seconds on the clock, and a two-point conversion made it 14-0.

La Quinta (3-6) rallied in the fourth quarter behind reserve quarterback Steve Scarbrough. After turning the ball over on downs at the Westminster 23, the Aztecs averted the shutout with 1 minute 14 seconds remaining when Scarbrough connected with Steve Nguyen on a 17-yard scoring pass.