West Torrance defeated a former Bay League rival for the second consecutive week, using a balanced attack to beat visiting Mira Costa 35-14 and remain atop the CIF Southern Section Western Division rankings.
The Warriors won the battle between two first-year starting quarterbacks with Trevor Mallett completing 23 of 80 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.
Mira Costa quarterback Jacob Silvera finished 18 of 34 for 292 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
But it was West’s running game that made the difference in the game. Running back Brett Ojiyi rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries.
Playing without running back Tre Searcy, who separated his shoulder in Mira Costa’s loss at Trabuco Hills the previous week, the Mustangs gained only 76 yards on the ground.
“We’re just glad Tre’s going to come back and have some games to finish his senior year,” Mira Costa head coach Don Morrow said. “We miss him, obviously. He’s our best player. Everyone knows that.”
Ojiyi, who now had 599 yards and 10 touchdowns in four games this season, was ecstatic with the win.
“This was a sweet victory, the best of the season so far,” Ojiyi said. ”We beat them as a team with consistent effort and discipline. We fought through a lot of adversity this game.”
Ojiyi opened the scoring on West’s opening drive, taking a direct snap and running around the right side for a 2-yard touchdown.
West (4-0) took a 14-0 lead into halftime after Mallett’s 1-yard keeper with 7:29 left in the second quarter.
Mira Costa (1-3) got a spark to open the second half when junior Zack Chan returned the kickoff 50 yards. But the drive stalled after the Mustangs reached the 15-yard line and a field goal attempt was low and to the left.
Mira Costa’s next possession was more productive as the Mustang’s passing game began to click. After a pass interference penalty gave Mira Costa and first-and-10 at the West 32-yard line, Silvera connected with Chan to close the gap 14-7.
Chan, who returned to football after sitting out his sophomore year, finished with five receptions for 92 yards and Aritz Guereca added four catches for 72 yards.
“The addition of Zack Chan has really helped,” Silvera said. “Our line blocked better this. We’re looking forward to playing Newport Harbor next week. We’ll be better when we get a couple guys back from injuries so were not as tired.”
West answered Chan’s touchdown with a 68-yard drive capped off by Tyler Taggart 11-yard touchdown reception.
Ojiyi’s 56-yard touchdown run down the right sideline with 10:41 remaining in the game put West ahead 28-7.
“Ojiyi is terrific,” Morrow said. “Watching the films coming in, he’s doing that to everybody so it’s no surprise he did it against us.”
Silvera, who was forced to scramble on numerous occasions throughout the game, avoided a sack and pitched the ball to Juwan Johnson who broke through the line for a 38-yard touchdown narrowing the gap at 28-14.
Mira Costa’s comeback attempt was stymied after the Mustangs had a first-and-goal at the West 9 ½-yard line. Facing a third-and goal from the 15 yard line, West’s Benton Shortridge recovered a fumble on a pass attempt.
Highlighted by Jackson Farrentinos’ 32-yard reception, West drove down the field and sealed the victory with Ojiyi’s 1-yard run. Farrentinos finished with eight catches for 120 yards.
“It’s not going very well right now,” Morrow said. “Our hat’s off to West. They played great. They’re making the plays they need to so they don’t have to get back into the game. We’ve been throwing the ball okay, we’ve just been sporadic. We’ll get it going then we won’t like a snap over his (Silvera’s) head. We’re in full reeling mode right now. It’s been a long time since we’ve been reeling like this, but we’re reeling. We just have to forward.”
Mira Costa concludes its non-league schedule Friday, Oct. 3 with a home game against Newport Harbor (1-3). The Sailors are coming off a 47-24 home loss to San Clemente.
