Led by a strong defensive performance, West Torrance displayed its team balance Friday in a 37-7 home win over Redondo Union.
West rebounded from a disappointing overtime loss at Mira Costa the previous week, to shutdown Redondo’s offense which had led the Sea Hawks to four straight wins going into the game.
J.J. Allen and Ray Lima anchored West’s defensive line that quashed a Redondo drive at the 25-yard line in the first quarter and took control for most of the remainder of the game. Allen put the final points on the board for West when he returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown with 5:13 remaining in the third quarter.
The outcome puts West (6-1, 1-1) and Redondo (5-2, 1-1) in a three-way tie for second place with Mira Costa (4-3, 1-1). Palos Verdes (5-2, 2-0) is in sole possession of first place and will play at West Torrance Friday in a rematch of last season’s Northern Division championship game.
Junior running back Michael Navarro scored Redondo’s lone touchdown on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.
West quarterback Zach Heeger completed 11 of 20 passes for 219 yards in little more than two quarters of play after his 9-yard touchdown run gave the Warriors a 30-0 lead. The senior also ran for 70 yards on six carries.
West receiver Dane Silverlake had three catches for 118 yards and Dale Rouse added 90 yards on five receptions.
“As a team, we are all very disappointed in our performance, and feel like we let our Sea Hawk fans and supporters down,” Redondo head coach Matt Ballard said. “We know we are capable of much better football, which is why we are so disappointed. Football, like life, doesn’t allow time to wallow or dwell on failures, so we will take this set back as an opportunity… an opportunity to rally around each other and continue the hunt for our goals; which are still feasible.”
Senior defensive end Walter Siefker was selected as Redondo’s Defensive Player of the Game, while senior Keanu Capper was named Special Teams Player of the Game. Scout/Practice Player of the Week honors went to junior lineman Jorge Alvarez.
Redondo will regroup and host Leuzinger (0-7, 0-2) on Senior Night in a 7 p.m. contest on Friday. The Olympians have been outscored 337-30 this season and have yet to reach double digits in scoring.
