Westminster running back Steven Marquez, #20, is chased by a pair of La Habra defenders in the second quarter of Thursday's game at Westminster High School. SAM GANGWER, OCVARSITY.COM |
Defense rules for La Habra
The Highlanders stuff Westminster's offense in winning the battle of ranked Southeast teams, 21-0.
La Habra football coach Frank Mazzotta didn't have many kind words for his offense Thursday. But he had nothing but compliments for his defense.
Cornerback Nick Sedaka had three interceptions, linebacker Ryan Tornell had three sacks and defensive tackle Stephen Shelton returned a fumble for a touchdown as La Habra defeated host Westminster, 21-0.
“(The) defense played hard,” Mazzotta said.
In a battle of ranked teams in the Southeast Division, the second-ranked Highlanders (3-0) didn’t allow No. 10 Westminster (1-2) to cross midfield until about eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Highlanders also held running back Steven Marquez to 43 yards rushing. Last week against Marina, Marquez rushed for 222 yards as the Lions finished with an impressive 330 yards on the ground.
“It’s just a team effort,” Sedaka said. “We were just basing (our defense) on him (Marquez).”
The Highlanders also forced five turnovers and collected four sacks.
La Habra’s defense produced one its biggest plays at a critical time in the third quarter.
Westminster started a drive at its 39 – its best starting field position of the night. Trailing 14-0, the Lions attempted a double-pass on first down. They had a receiver wide open, but the pass was off the mark. On second down, safety David Arteaga— filling in for starter Joshua Quezada(ankle) — stripped Marquez. Shelton, a 200-pound senior, showed his speed in returning the fumble 38 yards for a touchdown with 5:23 left in the third.
La Habra led 14-0 at halftime after a 12-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds by quarterback Chris Morales. With 25 seconds left, Morales connected with Petey Puga in the end zone coming out of a Westminster timeout. Morales’ touchdown pass capped a 72-yard drive.
La Habra’s defense forced a turnover to set up its first score. On Westminster’s second possession, Sedaka intercepted a pass at his 25 and returned it 18 yards. La Habra capitalized as Jason Davis later scored on a 12-yard touchdown run with 26 seconds left in the first quarter.
La Habra finished with 241 yards offense, but Westminster forced two fumbles inside its 20.Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
