Wolf Pack flips script on Vaqueros

By Ramon Scott
Updated: October 28, 2017

West Hills quarterback JORDIN YOUNG carries for West Hills Friday night. / EastCountySports photo

2017 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL

WEST HILLS 10, EL CAPITAN 7

By Ramon Scott

EastCountySports.com

LAKESIDE – The mission for the West Hills Wolf Pack was clear.

West Hills JAKE MAHEU (46) secures an interception during the fourth quarter Friday night. / EastCountySports photo

Despite a fine season, the Wolf Pack were in a precarious situation, sitting outside the SDCIF Division 2 playoff bubble heading into Friday night’s Grossmont Hills League encounter with rival El Capitan.

Ironically, the Vaqueros, were ahead of West Hills in the official section playoff rankings.

A win on the road against higher-ranked El Cap would likely flip-flop the two teams in the playoff chase.

West Hills turned in a stout defensive effort and left Lakeside with a 10-3 victory over the Vaqueros, spoiling Homecoming for the home folk and putting a serious dent in their playoff chances.

All the while, the Wolf Pack find themselves quite likely a playoff participant now.

Senior RYAN JEWELL, who often finds himself at the right place at the right time late in the game when the other team is in the two-minute drill, intercepted a pass in Wolf Pack territory with under 30 seconds remaining to secure the win in a battle of defenses.

The Wolf Pack committed a pair of turnovers in their own territory in the first quarter, but Jewell blocked an early field goal attempt in a scoreless period.

West Hills’ NOAH QUIGLEY had an interception in the end zone in the second quarter to quelch an El Capitan scoring try.

West Hills junior quarterback JORDIN YOUNG had a 45-yard run, then threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to CADE WEAVER, who got behind the defense like he does so well, and skated into the end zone for the game’s only touchdown late in the first half.