A Poor Second Half Hurts Reseda, 16-7

It seemed as if two different Reseda High teams played Friday night at Westchester, where the Comets came from behind to beat Reseda, 16-7.

The first was a high-powered balanced offensive and defensive attack that seemed to put a stranglehold on Westchester.

Reseda’s defense gave up only 63 yards in total offense in the first half. Add a blocked punt and a blocked field-goal attempt and you have one of the most improved defenses in the Valley.

On offense, the Regents took advantage of Comet mistakes, and scored quickly. Doug Britton scored from the one on Reseda’s first possession.

A lot can happen at halftime, however, and apparently something awful happened to Reseda.

The Regents were still wearing white jerseys when they came back on the field for the final two quarters, but the tenacity and drive they displayed in the first half was somewhere near Manchester Avenue, far from Park Hill where the field is located.

Reseda had the ball at the start of the second half, only to have Britton fumble on the Regents second play, giving the Comets the ball on the Reseda 34. Four plays later, Deon Thomas went up the middle for 29 yards and the Comets first score. Thomas ran the conversion play and Westchester led, 8-7.

Four times before the end of the game, Reseda found itself in good field position, but penalties and fumbles led to its demise. As Reseda did in the first half, Westchester took full advantage of the Regents’ mistakes and turned them in to points.

Late in the fourth quarter, Westchester recovered a David Wilson fumble and started its drive at its own 31. Unable to generate anything, the Comets punted and it looked as if Reseda was coming back.

On the first play from scrimmage, Reseda reserve quarterback Scott Scaeffer hit Doug Smith who ran it to the 15. The only problem: Smith is a Westchester linebacker and he ran it to the Reseda 15.

Two plays later, Kieth Bowen ran 12 yards for a touchdown and then ran the conversion to end the scoring, 16-7.

Both teams are 2-1 in Pac 8 League play.

Reseda, which has been in the playoffs the last five years, was trying to avenge last season’s 18-0 loss to Westchester. Since the Pac 8 League began, rivalries have been born with none as bitter as Resda-Westchester.

When the current season began, it looked as if Reseda and Westchester would battle it out for the league championship. But it looks as if Venice may be a contender this season. The Gondoliers beat Westchester last week, 10-8, and face Reseda later this season. With teams such as North Hollywood and Grant in the league, a Venice win over Reseda may clinch it for Venice.