Buena Defense Goes South in Westlake’s 33-15 Victory

VENTURA — The passing and running attacks of Westlake High were too much for Buena as the Warriors breezed to a 33-15 nonleague victory Thursday night at Ventura High.

Senior quarterback Casey Preston moved the Westlake offense in great strides, completing 14 of 25 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.

Preston, who connected with five receivers, threw a two-yard swing pass to fullback J.R. Ross to give Westlake a 7-0 first-quarter lead.

Preston connected with split end Scott Swaving early in the fourth quarter on a 54-yard touchdown pass play and a 26-7 lead. Not bad, considering Preston completed one of his first six passes.

“I was a little nervous, but I finally calmed down and my line gave me time to throw,” Preston said. “I feel pretty good, pretty confident that I can be a leader of this team.”

Preston, who began last season as a backup but finished as the starter, already has earned the confidence of Westlake Coach Jim Benkert.

“I’ve said all along, through spring and summer: he has a total grasp of what he is doing back there,” Benkert said. “And he has a grasp of what I want to do so we communicate.”

Westlake’s backfield tandem of Ross and tailback Jonathan Weems also packed a punch.

Ross ran six yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to snap a 7-7 tie. Weems ran 22 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to give Westlake a 20-7 lead and added an 11-yard touchdown run.

Weems rushed for 47 yards in nine carries. Westlake, a favorite to contend for the Marmonte League championship, out-gained Buena, 334 yards to 249.

“We’re not nearly as explosive as they are,” Buena Coach Rick Scott said. “I think we can be better, offensively.”

Buena’s Brady Phelps ran for touchdowns of 11 yards and five yards. Phelps, who had 70 yards in 13 carries, added a two-point conversion run.

Buena’s T.J. Stafford, who tied a school record with 56 receptions last season, quit the team last week.

“He wanted to play water polo,” Scott said.