Westchester Gets 11-0 Win as University’s Ploy Fails

Westchester opened its Pac-8 League game against University Friday by driving 77 yards for a touchdown, then running for a two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Comets, it was not an example of what was to come.

After that opening drive, Westchester and University made enough mistakes for either to have lost. But one had to win, and Westchester did, 11-0, at University.

Westchester had its share of errors, including zero passing yards (0 for 8 by Steve Kristy), but University was even more inept, fumbling six times (losing four), throwing two interceptions, and having a possible tying touchdown called back.

Trailing 8-0 early in the fourth quarter, University was at the Westchester 29. Ten players lined up for the second-down play, and just before it was to begin, the eleventh player charged on the field, signaling frantically for running back Marc Rogers to get off the field.

Rogers didn’t quite make it off the field by the time the play started, but that was the plan. Quarterback John Moomaw threw a perfect pass to a wide-open Rogers on the right sideline for an apparent 29-yard touchdown pass.

But the touchdown was called back by the officials, who reasoned that the Warriors were not set and that they had two men in motion. The referees pushed University further back when Coach Joe Sedia came onto the field to argue the call.

“We talked to the officials before the game,” Sedia said. “We told ‘em exactly what we are going to do. They said it was OK.

“I didn’t understand the problem.”

University eventually had to punt, and Westchester responded with a 14-play drive that resulted in a game-clinching field goal. Running back Derrick Franklin, who gained 180 yards in 25 carries, keyed the drive carrying 8 times for 76 yards.

The win assured Westchester (8-1 overall, 6-1 in league) of second place in the Pac-8 League, while University (4-5 overall, 4-3 in league) finishes third and will have to travel to play top-seeded Bell in the City 2-A playoffs that begin next Friday.