Inside 84045

Posted By Craig on August 29, 2009

The inaugural Westlake High School Varsity football game kicked off on Friday August 21, in Delta, UT versus the Delta Rabbits.

Between 250-350 Westlake Thunder fans showed up to support their new high school football team, filling the away stands to near capacity.

The first possession of the football game belonged to The Westlake Thunder. Although they went 3 and out, they showed that they were not afraid to pass the ball, completing one pass for 4 yards on the drive. The first of several penalties throughout the game was also called on The Thunder during their first possession.

Westlake showed a stout offensive line, not allowing much up the middle by Delta running backs, but Delta was able to bounce it out to their left for a 17 yard gain to mid-field. Westlake continued to show great defense by forcing a fumble on the next play and recovering the ball for their second opportunity on offense.

Westlake was able to gain 16 yards on an effective inside run from shotgun by #5, QB – John Ursua. On the subsequent play Ursua received some pocket pressure forcing him forward and dumped a short pass over the offensive line that resulted in an interception. Delta effectively ran the ball, primarily to the right, eventually resulting in a 10 yard run for a touchdown. The point after was good. Score 7-0 Delta with 4:18 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Westlake’s 3rd turn with the ball started with 2 incomplete passes (one almost intercepted). After a 5 yard defensive offside penalty, the Thunder had a 3rd down with 5 yards to go. The snap was low and Ursua was forced into a fumble of the ball which turned possession over to Delta once again.

The defense of the the Thunder held the Rabbits and forced them to attempt a short field goal that was missed wide to the left.

On Westlake’s 4th chance with the ball, QB John Ursua showed his skill using his legs and clearly ran for a first down to the right side, but was given a very sketchy spot by the officials that resulted in a short 4th down. The Westlake coaching staff decided to go for it, but the offense did not gain the yardage necessary to gain the 1st down.

Penalties continued to plague the Thunder on the ensuing defensive stand and the first quarter ended on a 15 yard run to the right by the Delta offense.

On the 2nd play of the second quarter The Westlake defense showed a strong middle presence, not allowing any gain but Delta was able to stumble to the left and in for a touchdown. The point after was good. Score 14-0 Delta.

The 4th offensive possession by the Thunder was a 3 and out. The Westlake defense continued to apply pressure to the Delta QB which resulted in an interception by defender Zach Dean, giving the Thunder their 5th chance with the ball.

With 6:43 remaining in the first half of the game, Westlake ran a left side end around that led to a 35 yard rushing touchdown, but was nullified by a holding penalty on the other side of the field. Another penalty was called on the following play, but Westlake was not to be denied and QB John Ursua completed a 20 yard pass completion to #22 Bradon Aldsfadt in the middle of the field. After a series of small penalties on the Westlake offense, they were able to get the ball inside the Delta 20 yard line with a 15 yard pass completion. Great teamwork by the offensive line allowed an inside run by Ursua for an 18 yard touchdown. 14-7 for Delta with 4:12 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Westlake’s defense forced Delta into a 2 yard loss and no substantial gain on subsequent plays until they had to punt on fourth down.

The Thunder again had the ball and confused the Delta defense with a 40 yard pass to #11 – Erick Gustafson in the middle of the field. A second down pass to the back right corner was broken up by Delta defenders. Ursua again went to the end zone and threw to an open receiver in the left side of the end zone, which slipped off his fingertips. With only 12 seconds remaining in the half, the Westlake coaching staff again decided to go for it on 4th down. Pressure up the middle caused Ursua into a last second incompletion.

The half ended on a 9 yard rush by the Delta offense.

The 2nd half started with Delta in possession of the football at their own 35 yard line. Westlake’s defense continued to show great middle presence by clearly stopping any advances by Delta’s RB’s. After a false start penalty on Delta, they were forced to punt. During the punt a penalty against Westlake backed them up to their own 20 yard line.

An athletic and evasive move on the part of QB John Ursua led to a 5 yard gain to the right, but he was hurt on the play. #14 – Koty Johnson filled in over the next couple of plays, but the drive was halted and resulted in a 40 yard punt. The punt was muffed by the Delta punt returner and the ball went out of bounds and Delta keeping possession.

Delta ran an option play to the right, but ended in a 1 yard loss. They were held to 4th down and again forced to punt by the Westlake defense.

John Ursua rejoined his teammates on the field on their eighth offensive possession. A mishandled snap by Ursua and increased defensive pressure caused a fumble leading to another change of possession.

With 3:52 left in the 3rd quarter Delta had the ball at the Westlake 15 yard line. After a few plays Delta was able to pound the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. The point after was good. 21-7 Delta.

Westlake came to the line on their next possession with 5 wide receivers which prompted the Delta coaching staff to call a timeout. On the ensuing play, Westlake lined up in the spread offense with 4 receivers. Quarterback John Ursua attempted to run the ball up the middle, but was quickly met with defensive pressure and a loss of 5 yards. On second down and 15 yards to go, Ursua threw a 55 yard completion to #27 – Tre Ofahengaue. Ofahengaue showed tremendous speed by separating himself from defenders and evaded tacklers after the catch for several yards. On first down, Westlake tried a little trickery with a “flea flicker”. Ursua pitched back to Ofahengaue who threw the ball shorter than designed and even though the intended wide receiver made a great effort to break up the play, the ball ended up in the hands of a Delta defender as an interception, deep in Delta territory.

Delta started from their own 20 yard line, but was able to drive drive the ball down the field, in the early 4th quarter. The key play in the drive was a 65 yard run by Delta RB Derek Peterson, but was chased down and caught from behind by Westlake defender #25 Nick Walkevich that saved a touchdown. A few plays later Delta was able to advance the football into the end zone for a touchdown, again using the running game, to the left. The point after was good. 28-7 for Delta.

Westlake did not show any signs of giving up on their next chance with the ball. They confidently drove 80 yards after avoiding a lost fumble on a defensive penalty by Delta. Ursua again hooked up with #27 Ofahengaue for a 35 yard completion in the middle of the field. After a few short running plays, Ursua courageously ran the ball around the right side for an 18 yard touchdown. The point after was good. 28-14 Delta with 7:40 remaining in the 4th quarter.

Neither team scored after this, although Delta was driving down the field, deep in Westlake territory when they showed a great deal of gamesmanship by allowing time to run out, ending the game.

Categories: Sports
Tags: football, high school, inaugural, Ursua, Westlake