Defense steps up for Westminster in shutout road victory against Buena Park

Westminster senior defensive back Ricky Mireles had an interception which set up the game’s first touchdown for the Lions. (PHOTOS: Jake Rhodes, For OC Sports Zone).

By JAKE RHODES

For OC Sports Zone

Westminster High School football coach Alex De Giacomo said his defense needed to learn from last week’s mistakes. That unit clearly got the message as the Lions shut out Buena Park 17-0 in a non-league game at Buena Park Stadium Thursday night.

“Last week, lot of accidents, big mistakes for explosion plays. We had to regroup,” said De Giacomo. “Sometimes, you got to fall just to see what you did wrong. So we had to fall that game and make mistakes in order to do it right today.”

The leader of the Westminster defense was senior defensive back Ricky Mireles, whose second quarter interception set up the first score of the game. Mireles made the perfect read on the play.

“I know their main guy is number zero (Bryant Hansbrough )… so when he ran that deep route I knew I had to stay on top of it,” said Mireles. “Once I saw that ball coming, I just had to play ball.”

Following Mireles’ interception, the Lions’ next drive went 55 yards in 10 plays, which ended on a 23-yard TD pass from freshman quarterback Beckham Sharp to senior wide receiver Noah Pedraza on fourth and 15, putting Westminster on top 7-0 with 7:04 left in the second quarter.

Sharp, starting in his second varsity high school game, had some flashes of greatness throughout this game. The Lions’ quarterback was 8 of 22 passing for 90 yards, one TD, and rushed for another TD. The young signal caller was proud of how his team battled in this game.

“[The win] feels great, the team played amazing,” said Sharp. “We had to improve, and we did.”

The offense for Buena Park (1-1) started the game out with a nine play drive which featured multiple completions from senior quarterback Kevin Garcia to senior wide receiver Damian Rodriguez. However, the drive stalled when the Coyotes rush attempt by junior running back Elias Chavez was stopped short of the line to gain on the Lions 12 yard line.

Following that drive, the Coyotes proceeded to either punt or turn the ball over on downs in eight of their next nine drives.

First year Buena Park Coach Mauricio Carmona said he felt this game was a good message about learning from adversity.

“Sometimes, you learn more from losses than you do wins,” said Carmona. “I know we’re better than the zero points we put out. We’ll be fine.”

Westminster (1-1) will be at home Friday night, Sept. 5, hosting Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana.

Buena Park will play in its first road game at Ocean View on Friday, Sept. 5.

For best view, click on the photo:

Westminster freshman quarterback Beckham Sharp passed for one touchdown and rushed for another.