Three Is Enough for Wasserman, Westlake to Cut Down Buena

VENTURA —  Westlake High quarterback Zac Wasserman dropped back for the first time Friday night and noted who wasn’t running a pattern.

Not Joey Cuppari, his favorite receiver a year ago who is at Colorado State.

Not Michael Brignac, his best friend who was declared ineligible on Thursday because undue influence was used to recruit Brignac from Reseda.

Not Kevin Howard, who belatedly decided to play football and hasn’t practiced the required amount to be eligible.

But even more notable were the receivers present and accounted for: All-American tight end Mike Seidman, veteran wide receiver Travis Campbell and surprising newcomer Chris Catalano.

Throwing exclusively to that trio, Wasserman completed 20 of 28 attempts for 333 yards and three touchdowns in Westlake’s 30-6 nonleague victory over Buena at Ventura High.

The three touchdown passes came in a three-minute span late in the third quarter when Westlake extended a 7-6 lead to 27-6.

The first was a sight to behold.

Campbell took a short pass and lateraled the ball behind his back to Catalano, who caught it in stride and streaked 75 yards to complete an 80-yard scoring play. The acrobatic effort apparently revved up Campbell, who had a 60-yard punt return and made touchdown receptions of 12 and 10 yards in the next three minutes.

“That play was called for me to pitch to Catalano and I knew he’d be in exactly the right place,” Campbell said. “Everybody was nervous and it took a while to get going, but it came together pretty sweet.”

Campbell finished with 11 catches for 132 yards and kicked four extra points. Catalano had six receptions for 130 yards and Seidman added three for 71 yards.

The Westlake running game was strong behind Julian Lambert, a transfer from Birmingham who rushed for 124 yards in 19 carries.

“Julian is a hidden secret,” Campbell said. “He could break a lot of records.”

The Warriors outgained Buena, 464 yards to 146. Although Buena was outgained 201 yards to 81 in the first half, the Bulldogs trailed only 7-6 thanks to a 48-yard touchdown on a double pass midway through the second quarter.

Wide receiver Cody Murphy took a lateral pass from quarterback Kyle Loughman and heaved it across the field to sophomore running back Freddie Keiaho, who hauled it in at the 10 and scored. The extra-point try was blocked.

The score came only a minute and a half after Westlake got on the board on a three-yard run by Lambert. A 42-yard reception by Seidman set up the touchdown.