No Joke for Buena; Westlake Wins, 38-7

VENTURA —  Westlake’s 38-7 victory over Buena in a nonleague opener Friday night at Ventura High was such a laugher, even the losing coach, Rick Scott, was cracking jokes.

After Buena quarterback Chris Carr inadvertently completed a pass to 6-foot-6 offensive lineman John Raymond in the third quarter, sending penalty flags flying from all over the field, Scott turned to an official and said: “What? That’s against the rules?”

It was one of few chuckles the Bulldogs had all night.

“I’d like to say we’re not as bad as we looked,” Scott said, “but we just don’t match up with their speed.”

Westlake, one of the best teams in Ventura County, dominated all aspects of the game.

The Warriors outgained Buena, 441-214, including 258 rushing yards for the normally pass-happy Warriors. Craig Walendy gained 63 yards and scored two touchdowns in 11 carries. Jamal Harris gained 53 in two carries and Jason Victor gained 51 in three carries.

Westlake’s passing game, which revolves around blue-chip receiver Billy Miller, also was effective. Miller caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

The Warriors, seeking to replace quarterback Kevin Crook, used three players at that position. Scott Spruill started and completed four of eight passes for 84 yards. But, after Westlake took an 18-0 lead in the second quarter, Coach Jim Benkert started rotating Brian Shubin and Steve Aylsworth.

Shubin completed a 58-yard touchdown pass to Mike Liebin on his first attempt. He completed three of six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Aylsworth completed the only pass he attempted for 19 yards.

“We have always had a quarterback battle,” Benkert said. “We are going to use the nonleague games to get experience for all three.”