Western Runs Wild, Routs Magnolia, 61-11

After receiving a dose of its own medicine against Hacienda Heights Los Altos last week, Western went back to bullying the neighborhood Thursday night.

The Pioneers, ranked third in the Southern Section Division IX, scored touchdowns on their first nine drives and pummeled Magnolia, 61-11, in an Orange League opener at Glover Stadium.

Western (5-1, 1-0), which was coming off a 41-14 loss to Los Altos, the top-ranked team in Division VII, spread the ball around against Magnolia (1-5, 0-1).

Four Western ball carriers ran for a combined 324 yards in 27 carries, a 12-yard-per-carry average.

David Gober, Western’s leading rusher this season with 560 yards, carried the ball five times for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Gober also caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Mike Hicks just before halftime to give the Pioneers a 35-3 lead.

Chris Jackson returned from a four-game absence for disciplinary reasons and rushed for 110 yards in six carries, including touchdown runs of five and 19 yards.

Rodney Eason, who came into the game just nine yards behind Gober for the team lead, added 92 yards in eight carries, including an 18-yard touchdown run.

Hicks also did his part, rushing for 54 yards and a touchdown in eight carries.

“We sucked it up and played as a team,” Hicks said. “We got the ball to everybody.”

Hicks was equally effective through the air, completing five of nine passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Stanley on Western’s first drive.

The Pioneers made it 14-0 midway through the first quarter on a four-play, 38-yard drive that was capped by Jackson’s five-yard touchdown run.