Defense keeps Pack’s perfect mark intact

By Ramon Scott
Updated: September 8, 2018

2018 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

WEST HILLS 13, CHULA VISTA 0

EastCountySports.com staff report

CHULA VISTA – The West Hills Wolf Pack lost their productive quarterback in the first quarter but still earned their fourth-straight win to open the season thanks in part to their defense and the rescue effort of emergency quarterback HUNTER GAUTHIER.

Senior QB JORDIN YOUNG rushed for a 64-yard touchdown on the game’s first series.

However, he suffered a right wrist injury after attempting a tackle following an interception and did not return. A set of x-rays will reveal the star signal caller’s immediate fate.

Gauthier, a senior end, moved to quarterback and admirably kept the Wolf Pack in position to claim the shutout win, even rushing for a 12-yard score on a terrific play-fake with just over three minutes left in the game to ice it. His 32-yard run just moments earlier took it down to the 12.

West Hills took their time on offense, though they didn’t amass much. And let the defense keep the Spartans off the scoreboard for a most-impressive shutout.

Junior linebacker JAKE MAHEU had a sack for the Pack.

“We’ve been doing a great job defensively,” West Hills coach CASEY ASH said. “We’ve had a couple of guys really step forward.”

As for the Wolf Pack’s immediate future, a bye is on tap with time to heal any minor injuries, including that of one of the East County’s top offensive players. After that, an always fun matchup with the El Capitan Vaqueros.

“The severity of (Young’s) injury is going to dictate where things go at this point,” Ash said. “It’s been very competitive and of back and forth deal (with El Capitan). Whether we have Jordin, or not, it will be a good test versus El Cap.”

Gauthier could handle the duties with just some extra time to prepare.

“He’s played some QB on the lower levels,” Ash said. “He stepped in and ended up running it in for a touchdown to kinda seal it.

Ash cited the play of STEVEN CRISTINI and the rest of the defense, including Maheu.

“I was real proud of the guys. They really took it upon themselves once they knew Jordin was going to be out.”