Westlake Tandem Plays It Perfect

Playing like men among boys, Jimmy Miller and Michael Stuart made their final high school game a memorable one Friday night, dominating on defense to help Westlake Village Westlake High complete its first unbeaten football season in school history.

Westlake (14-0) put together a powerful defensive performance featuring the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Miller rushing from one end and the 6-3, 230-pound Stuart charging from the other in a 28-6 victory over Ventura St. Bonaventure in the Southern Section Division IV championship game before more than 6,000 at Moorpark College.

“I told them before the game if they chose to take over the game they could, and they did,” defensive coordinator Mike Leibin said.

Miller and Stuart, who are both headed to USC, combined for five sacks. Westlake linemen deflected or tipped six passes, making it difficult for St. Bonaventure quarterback Brian Stevens, who completed 19 of 37 passes for 199 yards.

“It was the last game I was ever going to play with these guys, and we went all out,” Stuart said.

On offense, Miller, the tight end, caught a 49-yard touchdown pass. Stuart, a receiver, caught a nine-yard touchdown pass and on one play had nine St. Bonaventure players on his back trying to bring him down after a reception. He refused to go down, with only the referee’s whistle stopping the play.

St. Bonaventure (13-1), which defeated Westlake, 40-14, in last year’s final, received 111 yards rushing from Matt Lee. But the constant rush from Miller and Stuart limited the Seraphs to two first-half field goals by Chris Diaz, from 36 and 44 yards.

“On both sides of the ball, [Miller and Stuart] played incredible,” St. Bonaventure Coach Jon Mack said.

Westlake quarterback Rudy Carpenter was efficient and effective, completing 15 of 21 passes for 208 yards. Tahj Mowry rushed for 92 yards and scored two touchdowns.

And Westlake won without running back Jeff Rapoport, who was averaging 10 yards per carry but didn’t play because of a knee injury.

There was no stopping Miller and Stuart in the first half as Westlake raced to a 21-6 lead. Miller had two sacks, recorded another tackle for a loss and caught his touchdown pass. Stuart had a sack, tipped one pass that resulted in an interception by Greg Newman and caught his touchdown pass.