CHAMPIONS AT LAST: WESTLAKE PUTS MARMONTE METTLE ON DISPLAY IN WIN WESTLAKE 20, MOORPARK 14.Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer MOORPARK - Underdogs? In a Marmonte League The Marmonte League is a high school sports league primarily made up of schools from Ventura County. The Marmonte Leauge is part of the CIF Southern Section. Click here to view the league schedule. game? Westlake High wasn't exactly a longshot Friday night, but the Warriors enjoyed playing as a team not expected to win. ``We felt good in the underdog role,'' said senior tight end/defensive end Jimmy Miller, who made big plays on both sides of the ball. Previously unbeaten Moorpark's gallant and frantic fourth-quarter rally made them sweat, but the Warriors' 20-point lead was enough to ``upset'' the host Musketeers 20-14. An unbeaten Marmonte League championship is nothing new at Westlake (8-2, 7-0), which has achieved that feat three of the past four seasons. But the Warriors had issues to resolve when they began Marmonte League play. Their offensive and defensive units were exposed in back-to-back home losses to Notre Dame Notre Dame IPA: [nɔtʁ dam] is French for Our Lady, referring to the Virgin Mary. In the United States of America, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks and Hart of Newhall. Although Moorpark (9-1, 6-1) was stuffing opponents with a suffocating suf·fo·cate v. suf·fo·cat·ed, suf·fo·cat·ing, suf·fo·cates v.tr. 1. To kill or destroy by preventing access of air or oxygen. 2. To impair the respiration of; asphyxiate. 3. defense and underappreciated offense, the Warriors were quietly holding serve and staying tied for first. ``What it did for us, more than anything, is that we weren't tight,'' Westlake defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a football team in the National Football League or college football who is in charge of the defense. This position aids the head coach a great deal in many ways by delegating play calling to other coaches and allowing the head Mike Leibin said. ``We went through this as a normal week. And that's been going on all season. Moorpark, knowing they were looming looming: see mirage. on the horizon and seeing them win games, I think we were peeking over there to see what they were doing. But when it counted, it was a seven-day (preparation).'' The nothing-to-lose mentality worked perfectly when a 9-0 lead had swelled to 20-0 late in the third quarter. That's when Moorpark took control of a game Westlake seemingly seem·ing adj. Apparent; ostensible. n. Outward appearance; semblance. seem  ing·ly adv. had secured.
The Musketeers simply ran out of time and fell short when a tipped pass at the goal line was intercepted by Warriors cornerback cor·ner·back also corner back n. Football Either of two defensive halfbacks stationed a short distance behind the linebackers and relatively near the sidelines. Noun 1. Cody Cipriano in the end zone with 25 seconds left. ``We started out a little slow. Just not quite there. Almost,'' said Moorpark quarterback Eddie Garcia, whose short passes and clever work of the clock drove the Musketeers from their 19 to Westlake's 14 on the final drive. Garcia was 18 for 34 for 198 yards and running back Cliff Cardwell rushed for 165 yards and both Moorpark touchdowns. But the Warriors' timely defensive stops in the first half, Merrill Mullaly's 110 yards rushing and a 69-yard Erik Vose-to-Miller touchdown in the third quarter were just enough to win. ``We had no stress coming in,'' Westlake offensive tackle Zach Verdin said. ``People jump off the bandwagon band·wag·on n. 1. An elaborately decorated wagon used to transport musicians in a parade. 2. Informal A cause or party that attracts increasing numbers of adherents: , people jump on the bandwagon. We made everybody open up their eyes and realize Westlake's not a team you want to doubt.'' |
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