The Campbell Reporter
Sports
Bernarding's 4 TD tosses lead Westmont
By Greg Lydon
The Cannon went off four times for Westmont, leading to sunken hopes for Gunderson as Westmont fought off a pesky Gunderson team to win 28-20 Friday evening at Westmont.
Warriors' quarterback Cannon Bernarding threw for 173 yards and four touchdowns to help Westmont improve to 2-0 in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League play and to 4-1 overall. The Warriors have won four straight games after a season-opening loss to Lincoln.
"We dealt with adversity for the first time tonight, and I'm very proud of the way my team handled it," Westmont coach Jake Redmond said after the big win. "The defense played great, getting the big stand. We needed them tonight."
The Warriors high-energy defensive unit set the tone early, recovering a fumble on the opening drive of the game.
Bernarding went to work from the opening whistle, finding a sliding Trevor Vlay on a 25-yard pass play to get Westmont deep into Gunderson territory. The combo hooked up two plays later on a fourth-and-five play for a huge 15-yard touchdown strike to give Westmont an early 7-0 lead.
Westmont sophomore safety Chad Christopher plays like a young clone of Denver Broncos strong safety John Lynch. Christopher helped lead the stand of the game, as Westmont stuffed Gunderson on a huge goal line stand early in the second quarter. Christopher flew in for the stop on third-and-goal, while linebacker Matt Bradley and defensive tackle Joe Callahan sent the crowd into a frenzy, blowing up the run play on fourth down from the 2-yard line to get the ball back for their offense.
Quarterback Javier Zuniga made great decisions with the football all evening for Gunderson, but one slip-up before the half hurt his team when defensive back Chris Ayala intercepted the pass in the end zone as Gunderson went into the locker room 0 for 2 in the red zone.
The brilliance on the ground from running back Roger Rose has led Gunderson all year long, but Rose was held in check for 82 yards rushing. Rose has been averaging over 150 yards and one touchdown this season going into the Westmont game. Chris Eke helped out Rose, filling in at running back when Rose needed a break and at wide receiver due to a starter being injured. Eke finished the game with 155 rushing and receiving yards with one touchdown catch.
Running back D.J. Gregg had another big game for Westmont, rushing for 89 yards. Wide out Vlay found the end zone three times on 97 yards receiving as Bernarding made the big throws when his team needed them in Westmont's tightest contest of the season.
After the fourth-down gamble paid off in the first half for the touchdown, Westmont was at it again on the first play of the fourth quarter. Up 14-7, the Warriors went for it on fourth-and-five as Cannon hit Chad Christopher on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone. Christopher was everywhere for Westmont, scoring the big touchdown on one of the first offensive downs he played during the close league match-up.
Both defenses made big plays to keep their teams in the game, but a key goal line stand and interception in the end zone helped Westmont stay perfect in league and Gunderson fans wanting more.
"We get to the red zone three times and don't score any points--that hurts," Gunderson coach Herb Espiritu said after the tough road defeat. "We have to fix those issues on the goal line if we want to keep winning ball games. I'm proud of the way we battled; we just have some things to fix."
Both onside kick tries from Gunderson were recovered by Westmont wide out Mario Melendez, drawing a proud smile from his head coach after the game.
"Mario stepped up and made two big recoveries for us," Redmond said. "We have a strong finish for our offense and got enough to get the win. We'll enjoy this one tonight and get back to work on Monday."
Westmont will visit Leland on Oct. 13, 1:30 p.m., before hosting Evergreen Valley in two weeks as league action rolls along.
"We need to get more production from our running game if we want to keep winning in league, but that's a tough defense over there and I'm happy to get the W," Redmond said.
