Westminster Rallies Late to Defeat La Quinta

GARDEN GROVE —  Westminster rallied from a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 20-14 victory over La Quinta in the penalty-filled season opener for both teams Saturday night at Bolsa Grande High School.

Quarterback Johnny Mahurien led the Westminster comeback with two long touchdown passes to Jared Wells in the fourth quarter. After struggling in the first half, Mahurien hit eight of 10 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.

La Quinta was flagged for 15 penalties for 117 yards and Westminster drew 11 for 98 yards.

With La Quinta leading, 14-0, in the fourth quarter, Westminster linebacker Hung Nguy intercepted C.J. Livernois’ pass in the Lion 21 and returned the ball 79 yards for a touchdown with 6:31 left in the third quarter.

La Quinta, which rolled to 221 yards total offense in the first half, was held to 28 yards in the second half.

That gave Mahurien a chance to start finding Wells in the open. On third and 24, he spotted Wells in the clear and hit him with an 84-yard scoring pass with 8:10 left in the game. Wells then hit Nguy for the two point conversion to tie the score, 14-14.

Mahurien scrambled free with time running out and hit Wells again over the middle, this time for a 40-yard scoring play for the winning touchdown. Alex Gimenez’s kick sailed wide, but the Lions were able to hold the Aztecs on the ensuing series.

Livernois, a sophomore, had an impressive first half as he passed the Aztecs to a 14-0 lead. He completed seven of 10 passes for 179 yards in the first half, but he finished with nine of 18 completions and two interceptions for 189 yards.