Westlake beats Oxnard, advances to CIF title game

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn SCORING A TD--Mark Alvara of Oxnard can't stop Michael Stuart of Westlake from making a catch for a touchdown during Friday's California Interscholastic Federation's Southern Section Division IV semifinal at Oxnard.Westlake plays in the title game tomorrow.

The Westlake football team defeated Oxnard, 24-21, last Friday night in Oxnard, to advance to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) championship game against St. Bonaventure, in a game that will be played at Moorpark High School tomorrow night at 7:30.

Trevor Connor, Westlake’s senior place-kicker, connected on a 38-yard field goal with 2:00 remaining in the game to provide the margin of victory.

"I just wanted to get good contact on the ball," Connor said. "I’m confident enough that if I hit it square in the middle, then I’ll put it right down the middle. Anything inside 45 (yards) I’m confident I can hit."

The winning kick came on a fourth down and four and it came after Westlake coach Jim Benkert decided to go with Connor’s foot instead of trying for a first down.

"When I went out there, the offensive line tried to talk me out of it—they wanted to go for it," Benkert said. "They were giving me plays to run and I finally had to say, ‘Guys, the decision’s been made. You guys have done your job, you got us in field goal range. Let the special teams take over and then let the defense play.’"

After Connor’s kick split the uprights, the Warrior defense did indeed shut down the Oxnard offense, which was led by senior Aaron Brown who gained 134 yards on the night.

"In the last two minutes of the ball game, the offense set it up, the special teams put it in and the defense held it," Benkert said. "That’s team football. I’m real proud of them."

Westlake had built a 7-0 lead, but after that they played catch-up much of the night. Oxnard led 14-7 at halftime and after Westlake tied the score, the Yellow Jackets went ahead, 21-14, early in the fourth quarter.

A seven-play 64-yard drive tied the score with 7:43 remaining in the game, however, and after an Oxnard punt, Westlake drove down field to set up Connor’s game-winning field goal.

For the Warriors, it was the third game in the last four that was decided by a touchdown or less.

"We’re the heartbreak kids," said offensive lineman Zach Verdin. "We keep them close, we keep the fans into it, but we win them. I saw the ’99 team win a championship, now we’re in the championship game. That’s all we could ask for. We’ll see what happens from here."

Mike Leibin, Westlake’s defensive coordinator, saw his team give up only one touchdown in the second half.

"I’ve never been around a team that plays with more heart," Leibin said. "It’s week after week. Everyone’s saying ‘crazy and wild endings.’ Well, it comes down to, we refuse to lose."

Specifically about the Westlake defense, Leibin said the Warriors buckled down at halftime.

"They were doing a couple of things to us early," he said. "We adjusted at halftime and with the exception of a few missed tackles where they had the one drive, we pretty much shut them down in the second half, which is what we needed to do."

Merrill Mullaly gained 200 yards on the ground against a vaunted Oxnard defense.

"It’s the most amazing feeling ever," Mullaly said. "Our offensive line does a really good job and our defense always makes the stops when they need to get them."

Benkert was pleased to have one more game with this team.

"It’s been a great ride and I’m glad it’s not ended yet," he said. "This is a special group. Countless times they gotten together at halftime and decided they weren’t going to lose … We challenged the defense, we challenged the offense, we challenged the special teams and we challenged them as individuals to make plays."

Benkert noted that Jimmy Miller made an outstanding catch in the fourth quarter, that quarterback Erik Vose played huge in the second half and that Mullaly continually racked up yardage on second efforts.

Miller’s catch was for 20 yards to start the drive that set up the winning field goal.

"Right now we’re going to savor the moment," Benkert said.

And looking ahead to the finals, against the winner of the St. Bonaventure-Moorpark game, he added, "Both of them are fantastic football teams and it’s going to be a tremendous title game. We’re excited to be in it. Anytime you go to the title game, it’s a special deal."