The Acorn’s High School Football Game of the Week

Westlake Warriors (5-1) vs. Newbury Park Panthers (5-1) Friday, 7 p.m. Newbury Park High



USE THE FORCE—Westlake High’s Chase Jasmin rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-28 win at Paraclete on Oct. 9.

USE THE FORCE—Westlake High’s Chase Jasmin rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-28 win at Paraclete on Oct. 9.

Tony Henney was ready for practice to start when he turned to one of his Westlake High football players.

“How many days until ‘Stars Wars’ comes out?” Henney said. “Sixty-five?”

The head coach/Jedi Warrior was right.

The Force is strong in Henney, who’s making all the right calls with a team navigating a galaxy not so far away and currently ranked in the CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division poll for the first time all season.

Henney doesn’t want the No. 10 Warriors thinking on the field. He just wants them to play.

“Once you start reacting instead of thinking, it makes a big difference,” the coach said. “Every week that goes by, we’re playing with more confidence.”

Westlake confronts Newbury Park, winners of five straight games, Friday night on the road.

The Panthers, ranked No. 5 in the Northern Division, are devising a comprehensive game plan for their toughest foe of the season.

“No disrespect to the other teams we’ve played, this is really our first test,” said Jake Blackburn, a two-way starter at right guard and defensive tackle for Newbury Park. “It’s really the first time we get to see what we’re capable of. They’re a very talented team. I’m excited to see how our team stacks up.”

The all-time series is knotted up at 18-18-1, but Westlake’s won seven straight games in the Conejo Valley rivalry.

Newbury Park wants that streak to end on Friday.

“Everyone on our team is tired of losing to them,” said Shane Sipes, a wide receiver and free safety for Newbury Park. “I think we’re definitely ready to step it up. We’re not going to continue the losing streak with them.”

Westlake wants to send Newbury Park spiraling into a blizzard on the ice planet Hoth.

“They always play us tough,” Westlake cornerback Daniel Fox said. “It’s important to assert our dominance, especially in our area.”

Fox dismissed the notion that Newbury Park quarterback Cameron Rising, a breakout sophomore star, scares Westlake’s defense.

“It remains to be seen how good he really is, no disrespect to him,” Fox said of Rising. “He has been good, but we don’t plan on him having a great night Friday.”

The Warriors will unleash defensive ends Brandon Shook and Brandan Hall on Rising, who has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,972 yards, 28 touchdowns and one interception.

Westlake’s confidence has skyrocketed since earning a 21- 14 signature win against Santa Margarita on Sept. 18 at home.

Chase Jasmin and Theo Howard are explosive playmakers for the Warriors.

Jasmin, a San Diego State commit, averages 7 yards per carry. He’s rumbled for 733 yards with 10 touchdowns. Howard, one of the most highly touted wide receiver prospects in the nation, has 39 catches for 631 yards and six touchdowns.

The Warriors do not plan on subduing the Panthers with finesse.

“We’ve got to come out on the first play and hit them,” said Nolan Dellibovi, Westlake’s right guard. “We want to send a message right away.”

Sipes is enjoying a breakout senior season.

The Panther has snagged 26 passes for 597 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, he’s added 57 tackles with two interceptions, four pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.

The Black Cat Attack defense has 10 interceptions and nine forced fumbles.

Panther youngsters, including Andrew Noble (eight touchdowns) and Ryan Matlock (six touchdowns), are thriving.

Newbury Park will try to establish a running game with Chris Brooks, who has nine total touchdowns and averages 7 yards per carry.

“ Newbury Park and Westlake is the game of the year for us,” Sipes said.

The Panthers and Warriors don’t need lightsabers when they clash on George Hurley Field.

“We’ll be ready for Friday,” Fox said. “We always are.”

Players to Watch

Westlake

OLB Cristian Egurbide
FS/WR Shane Sipes

QB Cameron Rising

CB Marques Evans
WR Andrew Noble

Newbury Park

DE Brandon Shook
DE Brandan Hall

QB Grant Bunker

CB Daniel Fox
WR Vincent Corso


 

 

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