WESTMINSTER – Westminster got one of its key players back from injury but lost its quarterback in the first quarter in Friday night’s nonleague clash with visiting Beckman. Both developments played key roles as the Lions rolled to a 41-7 victory.
Jacob McGookin, who missed two games with a sprained knee, ran for 61 of his 70 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, and Josh Avila rushed for a season-best 178 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns as Westminster (2-3) scored on six of seven possessions.
The Lions did so despite losing Noah Melbon to a left wrist injury midway through their opening drive. The junior quarterback, who has thrown for 599 yards and rushed for 279 this season, fell on his non-throwing hand after getting off a short pass to Isayah Anderson to avoid a sack. With second-stringer Irving Rosete sidelined with a back ailment, Malachi Mesa, the No. 3 QB, came on, and things clicked nicely all night.
“Believe it or not, the injury fired us up in a way, losing our quarterback. And our kids responded,” Lions coach Ted McMillen said. “We wanted to try to get back to playing physical, and that’s what we did. That was the difference in the game: We played physical, and we executed.”
McMillen said the team’s doctor thought Melbon’s wrist was broken, which likely would force him out until the playoffs. Westminster opens Golden West League play next week at Segerstrom (5-0), which beat the Lions in overtime to win last year’s title.
Interceptions by Brandon Cox and Lloyd Maia fueled second-half touchdowns, and All-CIF defensive back Isayah Anderson intercepted a pass, scored on a sweep, and was crowned homecoming king at halftime.
Beckman (2-3) had just one gain of more than 10 yards until the fourth quarter. The Patriots gained 64 of their 178 total yards on the game’s final six plays, with Westminster’s starters off the field. QB Dean Nagle ran for a 26-yard score on the final play.
