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Irvine makes big stop to beat Westminster

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The Vaqueros escape with a 14-7 victory in the Southern Division playoff game.

COSTA MESA — Irvine's football team survived a late scare from Westminster on Saturday night to capture a 14-7 victory in the opening round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs at Estancia High. (Full game stats.)

The outcome wasn't decided until the final play when Lions' quarterback Kenny Chapple connected with Aaron Garbutt on a 14-yard pass play. Garbutt was stopped at the Irvine 1 and with no timeouts remaining, Westminster could not stop the clock.

Irvine had called timeout with three seconds left following an incompletion to set up its defense on what stood to be the final play of regulation.

The Vaqueros defense, which had held Westminster (7-4) in check until the final drive, made one final stand, avoiding overtime.

"They tend to go to No. 21 (Garbutt) so we just had to stay deep and play our coverage," said Irvine defensive back Michael Ernst, who had two deflections on the final drive.

Irvine figured to be challenged by the Lions, who had averaged 42 points a game in league.

"We're a bend but don't break defense and we used every inch of it on that last drive," Irvine coach Terry Henigan said.

Irvine (8-3) moves on to the second round against Norwalk next weekend.

Early on, it looked like Westminster would be the team advancing.

The Lions cashed in on an Irvine fumble in the first quarter to move ahead, 7-0, on Chapple's 1-yard keeper.

But Irvine's Shane Whippo bolted 68 yards for a score to even the game.

The Vaqueros moved ahead, 14-7, on Jake Day's 38-yard touchdown run with 24 seconds left in the first half.

• Click here for full game stats and links to season totals and team rosters.

Contact the writer: tburt@ocregister.com