The Play, The Fumble, and now . . . The Bounce

JANN HENDRY/Acorn NewspaperOH, WHAT A FEELING—Agoura High lineman Kevin Graf, leftand quarterback Justin Arias celebrate last Friday's 23-22 win over Westlake. The Chargers hadn't beaten WHS since 1995. See, folks, sometimes dreams do come true.

Before last weekend's football game between Agoura and Westlake high schools at AHS, Charger senior lineman D.J. Bancroft dreamt that his squad would win in dramatic fashion, that Westlake, which had beaten Agoura every year since 1996, would miss a game-winning kick.

And so it was, exactly as Bancroft drew it up in his subconscious.

Or was it?

With Agoura leading 23-22 and 13.6 seconds remaining on the clock, Warrior place kicker Stephen Murphy launched a 41yard attempt that immediately headed straight toward the center of the goalposts.

"I literally saw this happening before the game in my head," Bancroft said amid the postgame pandemonium. "We're up by one point, and they hit the crossbar. I saw it earlier, I swear. I don't know what's going on right now. It's crazy."

Added Agoura senior lineman Kevin Graf: "I'm seeing it, and it's looking good," Graf said of the kick. "All of the sudden, I see it hit the crossbar and bounce up, and I'm thinking, 'Oh, my God, it has another chance.'"

Video replays show Murphy's kick hitting the gooseneck support bar just behind the crossbar before caroming up in the air and landing in the end zone.

After reviewing the game tape, Westlake head coach Jim Benkert told the L.A. Times the kick should have been good.

Thom Simmons, director of communications for the CIFSouthern Section, citing rule 8-3, article 1, 2 and 3, said the Westlake kick should have counted if it went past the crossbar at any point.

"If it hit the gooseneck behind the uprights, behind the crossbar itself, that would be a good field goal because the rule simply states that (the ball) has to pass between the vertical uprights, or the inside of the uprights extended above the crossbar of the opponent's goal."

Because it was a judgment call by the referees, the game cannot be protested, Simmons said.

Controversy aside, the proverbial blue and orange monkey that had found a home on Wegher's back for nearly a decade and a half was finally gone when the kick bounced back onto the field of play.

"I felt like tonight had to be our night," said Wegher, who improved to 2-13 all time against Westlake. "It's gone against us so many times—the breaks at the end of the game—that it had to be their turn. I'm just speechless. . . .

"I'm proud of the kids for hanging tough. They really hung in there and never gave up. Westlake had some big plays, and our guys could have collapsed, but they didn't. Our coaches also did a great job. It was a great night for me," Wegher said.

Agoura improved to 31 overall and 1-0 in the Marmonte League. Westlake fell to 2-2, 0-1 in league.

On the field after the game, Agoura alums, community members, parents and players exchanged hugs and high-fives.

AHS athletic director Jason Rosenthal said the excitement was comparable to when both of the school's water polo teams won CIFSouthern Section championships in 2007.

"Football is what drives the school," Rosenthal said. "The kids have been preparing for this all week. The ASB has been doing pep rallies at lunchtime to get everybody hyped up. They did a barbecue beforehand.

"This means a lot to the school, the campus and the community itself."

There were many heroes on both sides during this epic clash.

Filling in for injured starter Ben Conlin, Warrior sophomore quarterback Nick Isham played like a savvy veteran, completing 20-of-39 passes for 318 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also had 100 yards rushing.

Westlake running back Tavior Mowry posted 49 yards on 10 carries and also logged the game's first points with a 16yard touchdown reception in the opening quarter. Steve Hagy led WHS with 144 receiving yards, and Justin Lilley blocked a punt in the end zone for a safety.

For Agoura, quarterback Justin Arias completed 21-of-37 passes for 221 yards and two scores. Charger running back Lucky Radley, who battled a leg injury for much of the contest, had 139 total yards and a touchdown.

Wide receivers Bryce Majdick and Kevin Hansen both found pay dirt, with Hansen's 25-yard score with 2:18 remaining in the fourth quarter providing the winning points. On the play, Bancroft laid a vicious block to spring Hansen.

Agoura safety Sam Bradley had a pair of secondhalf interceptions.