Westlake Posts 24-20 Upset

Westlake High quarterback Todd Preston hit wide receiver Erik Holcomb on a nine-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds remaining to lift the visiting Warriors to a 24-20 upset of second-seeded Arcadia on Friday night in the first round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

After Arcadia (9-2) scored on a 28-yard pass to take a 20-17 lead with 2:09 remaining, Preston led Westlake (5-5-1) on a nine-play, 67-yard drive for the winning score.

Holcomb returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, but Arcadia rallied to take a 13-10 lead midway through the third quarter when defensive back Tim Pescatello returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown.

Running back Luke Crawford scored on a 75-yard run at the end of the quarter to put Westlake back on top, 17-13, and set up the fourth-quarter drama.

Preston completed nine of 22 passes, including five of seven on the winning drive, for a total of 158 yards. Crawford rushed for 83 yards in five carries.

Holcomb, a sophomore, caught three passes for 73 yards.

Westlake, which is making its first appearance in the playoffs since 1982, play Canyon next week.