After securing the team’s first win of the year last week over Antelope Valley, West Ranch hosted undefeated Thousand Oaks for this season’s homecoming game.
In the end, West Ranch fell to Thousand Oaks 49-15 for its third loss of the season.
“We’re a young team, we got a lot of injuries, but you know, no excuses,” head coach TJ Yonkers said. “We didn’t execute in the first half. Our bright spot really came in the second half. We got a little bit of fight back, and ultimately, that’s all I can ask these guys. Like I said, they’re young guys, they’re hurt, they’re figuring it out as we go.”
In the opening quarter of the game, Thousand Oaks (4-0) immediately opened with the lead after Lancers’ running back Jordan Johnson broke off for a 51-yard run down the sideline for the touchdown.
And on the following drive, West Ranch (1-3) quarterback Blake Johnson threw an interception to Lancers’ Miles Lewis that set up Thousand Oaks’ possession in West Ranch territory.
With the Lancers’ offense set up in the Wildcats’ red zone, Taylor connected with Luke Sullivan and Thousand Oaks extended its lead to 14-0 over West Ranch.
After a three and out forced West Ranch to punt the ball back to Thousand Oaks, Taylor linked with Hayden Vercher for the touchdown on the following drive.
The Wildcats’ offense responded by adding some points to the board.
After a 32-yard Johnson pass to Dylan Willaims set up West Ranch just a few yards away from the end zone, Johnson scrambled across the goal line for a 2-yard rushing touchdown and cut into the Thousand Oaks lead.
“He’s got a good arm on him, so we’re confident in Blake,” Yonkers said. “He can make plays when he can. He’s got to get in game shape, obviously. That’s his biggest issue right now. Obviously being out and injured makes it kind of tough to keep the cardio up, but the future’s bright.”
In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Thousand Oaks scored again as Taylor hit tight end Kayden Glover in the end zone for a touchdown and extended their lead to 28-7.
With five minutes left in the half, Taylor found Vercher again for their second touchdown of the night together and built upon their lead over West Ranch.
But before West Ranch could enter the locker room, Taylor hit Luke O’Neill for the touchdown pass and West Ranch trailed 42-7 to Thousand Oaks going into halftime.
West Ranch opened the second half with possession with its offense driving down the field.
On fourth down, and 17 yards away from the end zone, Johnson connected with Darren Akuin for the touchdown pass. And after the score, Johnson converted the 2-point conversion himself with a scramble and cut into Thousand Oaks’ lead.
Thousand Oaks closed the game out adding onto their final tally with a Trey Lewis rushing touchdown and win the game over West Ranch.
During the game West Ranch running back and linebacker Luke Gibbons suffered a shoulder injury and is another tally to the long list of injuries the Wildcats have suffered.
“We’ve got a long list of injuries right now, some more severe than others,” Yonkers said. “Some guys are season ending, some aren’t. I’m going to keep some close to the vest for now but we’re doing the best we can. It’s a war of attrition.”
West Ranch opens Foothill League action next week on Friday at home, hosting Valencia.
