Culver City, CA|
West LA came out against LA Pierce Saturday and made a game of it.
Pierce's Erik Castro opened up the scoring with a 38 yard field goal late in the 1st quarter.
Sophomore quarterback Markell White (Fairfax) led WEST down the field connecting with Christian Williams (Morningside) three times and Drevon Macon (Hamilton) twice. After connecting with Williams to get to the Pierce 2 yard line, White called his own number to give West a 6-3 lead.
Edenson Escobar connected on the extra point to make it 7-3, WEST. The Wildcat defense held a potent Brahma offense in check for most of the game,
including stopping Pierce quarterback Jonathan Saavedra on a 3 and out with 7 minutes remaining in the first half.
West took over on the Pierce 35 and it wasn't long before the Wildcats would find themselves in range for Escobar.
The freshman from Venice High School, connected from 32 yards to extend the Wildcat lead to 10-3.
Later in the game, Pierce moved the ball down the field using only 46 seconds to score. During the Pierce extra point attempt Samuel "J.J." Liavaa (Lawndale),
got a hand on the ball and blocked the kick. Justin Mason (Palisades) scooped up the football and took it the length of the field for 2 points for the Wildcats.
Defense was the key to the game in the 3rd quarter, as neither team was able to put any points on the board.
Halfway through the 4th, Saavedra connected with Dennis Mack for an 11 yard touchdown giving the Brahmas a 16-12 lead.
The Pierce offense was on a roll getting into field goal position, but once again Liavaa blocked the 42 yard attempt by Castro.
With 2 minutes remaining in the game. West LA moved the ball down the field with several long runs by White. Gains of 15, 10 and 13 yards,
put WEST at the Pierce 23 yard line. White connected with Williams for a nine yard gain to make it 1st and 10 at the Pierce 14.
However, the Wildcat drive stalled when White's pass into the left corner of end zone was intercepted by Dimitri King.
White was 31-54 for 209 yards and 3 interceptions, while rushing for 37 yards on 12 attempts. Christian Williams
finished with 126 all-purpose yards for the Wildcats, 103 which were receiving yards. Brenten Babb led WEST with 16 total tackles and a half sack.
Tristan Kayembe (9 total tackles), Muhammad Khan (9), Justin Mason (7) and Justin Murray (7) helped the Wildcats in the game with stellar defense.
West LA plays the first of their next two games on the road. On Saturday, September 15th the Wildcats
travel to Huntington Beach to take on Golden West.
Game Time is 1:00 pm.
