Late Score Difference in Western Victory

Western senior wingback Jamiah Williamson scored on a two-point conversion run with 1:29 left to help the host Pioneers earn a 35-34 nonleague victory Thursday night over Costa Mesa.

Williamson, who scored from three yards out to pull the Pioneers (2-2) to within 34-33, finished with 222 yards in 22 carries.

Western, ranked eighth, five spots below Costa Mesa in Division IX, earned a 459-324 edge in total offense. The Pioneers also played defense when it mattered most, stifling Costa Mesa’s last possession with a sack on the final play of the game.

Western Coach Toby Howell, whose team lost to Loara, 35-28, and El Toro, 39-38, said he didn’t hesitate about going for two.

“We always say, ‘Let’s beat the other team, not let’s tie them,’ ” he said.

Costa Mesa (3-1) stayed close, hammering away with junior tailback C.J. Zuniga, mixing in opportunistic passes, collecting the game’s only turnover and blocking a punt to set up a touchdown.

Costa Mesa quarterback Dave Weir sprinted 80 yards with an option keep on Mesa’s third play to open the scoring.

Western answered with a 65-yard, five-play touchdown drive.

Then, after Costa Mesa went three and out, Williamson broke 51 yards to give Western a 13-7 lead with 2:52 left in the first quarter.