Recap
Oxnard, CA — Mike Moon has been known to take shuffling players off and on the field as an artform.
Not many people pay attention to the multitude of lineup changes throughout the course of a game.
When the Pacifica High coach switches quarterbacks, that's a different story.
Same might be said of Westlake coach Mark Serve, who not only used three quarterbacks in Friday's 41-21 season-opening road loss to Pacifica, he used them in the same series,
Dominic Duran replaced Pacifica starter Tagg Harrison late in the third quarter of a seven-point game.
All the sophomore did was complete 11 of 14 passes for 141 yards in guiding the Tritons on three scoring drives.
Not that Harrison had an off night. Harrison, who passed for 1,638 yards and 17 TDs as a freshman last year, was 11 of 19 for 148 yards as Pacifica sprinted to a 20-0 lead with 4:26 left in the first quarter.
"We were just looking for a spark," said Moon. "We had left too many plays on the field on both sides of the ball. We have two really good quarterbacks. Dominic came in and did a great job.
"We had some guys come in and provide a spark on defense as well. I am going to play the guys we need where we need them to win the ballgame."
Serve started Isaiah Sepand at quarterback. Dominick Hunt and Jacob Poley soon had their chances.
Hunt was the most productive, completing 21 of 40 passes and three touchdowns.
"I trust all three of those guys," said Serve. "I wanted to go with the hot hand. Dominick looked like that guy."
His TD passes of 9 yards to Jordan Garrison late in the second quarter and 58 to Braylon Butout brought Westlake to within 20-13 of Pacifica with 2:56 left in the third quarter.
Duran was up to the challenge, calmly guiding scoring drives of 80, 55 and 68 yards on consecutive possessions.
"I am always ready," said Duran. "Tagg and I work well together. We are helping each other get better."
Pacifica scored first on field goals of 25 and 32 yards by Derrick Mejia. A 36-yard TD pass from Harrison to Tommy Alfaro made it 13-0.
Garrison's long kickoff return put Westlake on the Pacifica 10-yard line.
On the ensuing play, Pacifica's DayDay Aupui intercepted a Westlake pass and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-0. Aupui almost had a second scoring interception return, but it was nullified by a Pacifica penalty. Josh Joyner had an interception in the first half.
Just like it looked like Pacifica was on cruise control, the offense struggled and the Westlake offense found its footing.
Westlake's receiving corps of Garrison, Cole Janowicz and Braylon Butout found enough openings to make the game close into the fourth quarter.
"I believe in getting guys out there," said Serve. "If guys are out there and producing, we will give them the chance."