Westchester’s Win Has Special Quality

Westchester High maintained its dominance of Western League opponents Friday night with a 35-19 victory over Venice that showcased the Comets’ extraordinary special teams. Westchester blocked two punts--one of which was returned for a touchdown--and returned a kickoff for a touchdown to improve to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in league play. The Comets all but wrapped up the league title for the fifth time in six years.

Venice, which defeated Westchester in 1998, is the only Western League team to beat the Comets during that span. The Gondoliers (4-3, 4-1) knew they would have to neutralize Westchester’s special teams, but were unable to do so.

“We gave them some gifts,” Venice running back Wale Forrester said. “When you do that against a team like Westchester, you can’t win.”

Westchester junior Wallace Hightower had both blocked punts. The first came with 8 minutes 38 seconds left in the first quarter, a minute after Eric Porchia had given the Comets a 7-0 lead with a 60-yard touchdown run. Hightower blocked the kick at the Venice 25-yard line and Robert Hamilton scooped up the ball and returned it 20 yards to give the Comets a 14-0 lead.

Hightower blocked another punt with 5:45 left in the first half. Three plays later, Kenny Franklin scored on a 15-yard run to give the Comets a 21-7 lead.

“We just go after the ball because we know we can put pressure on anyone,” Hightower said. “This was a big step for us.”

Venice came back in the third quarter when Forrester broke off a 32-yard run, which keyed a 57-yard drive that ended with Lionel Gentry’s two-yard touchdown run. The extra-point kick hit the left upright, leaving Venice behind, 21-13.

The Gondoliers, however, were unable to sustain their momentum. Trying to avoid kicking the ball deep to Westchester’s top return men, they bounced a kickoff to Reggie Turner at the 25. Turner picked up the ball and cut down the right sideline for a 75-yard touchdown.

Venice pulled to within 35-19 with six seconds left in the third quarter on a six-yard touchdown run by Gentry. But its hope for a comeback ended with 6:30 left in the game when Sam Calhoun intercepted a pass by Venice quarterback Eddie Miller at the Westchester 35.

Miller completed 13 of 24 passes for 151 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown to Forrester.