Westlake Escapes With 20-17 Win : Royal’s Long Touchdown With Two Seconds Left Is Called Back

Royal High quarterback Shaun Christensen threw an apparent game-winning 62-yard touchdown pass against Westlake with two seconds to play Friday night, but he forgot one thing: You can’t throw a pass once you’ve crossed the line scrimmage.

While Christensen was celebrating his srambling throw to Chad Sourbeer, an official was throwing a flag. The penalty erased the score and allowed Westlake to escape with a 20-17 Marmonte League victory at Bob Jacob Stadium in Simi Valley.

Christensen’s near heroics came 26 seconds after Warriors place-kicker Garret Messner had given Westlake, 2-1 in the Marmonte League and 4-2 overall, the lead with a 28-yard field goal.

A game-winning kick by Messner had appeared unneeded a few minutes earlier when Rob Mandel had scored on a 3-yard run to give Westlake a 17-9 lead, but the Warriors didn’t count on Christensen’s late-game heroics. The Royal quarterback promptly led the Highlanders on a 77-yard drive that was capped by Ralph Blanks’ 2-yard run and a two-point conversion pass from Christensen to Manny Escobar with 1:19 to play.

Westlake had taken a 10-9 halftime lead on Mike Nohrden’s 1-yard run and a 24-yard field goal from Messner, while Royal’s first-half scoring was provided by the toe of Christensen on field goals of 29, 35 and 45 yards.

Westlake quarterback Chrisa Lemieux keyed his club’s attack by completing his team’s first seven passes en route to an 11-for-16 night for 165 yards. Ten of his throws went to Chris Mann for 100 yards.

Halfback Todd Thompson led the Warrior rushers with 74 yards in 13 rushes, while Nohrden added 56 yards on 7 carries. Lemieux had 52 yards on 11 carries.

Royal’s Christensen completed 10 of 25 passes for 147 yards, with tight end Joe Summers catching three passes for 68 yards. Highlander running back Ralph Blanks led all rushers with 80 yards in 11 carries, while fullback Eddie Williams rolled up 50 yards in eight rushes before being ejected for throwing a punch early in the third quarter.