NORWALK — Western and quarterback Anthony Muñoz continued their hot start Friday night as the Pioneers used an impressive passing game to pull away from Glenn 42-28 in a nonleague game at Excelsior High.
Muñoz, who came into the game as the leading passer in Orange County with 1,339 yards and 18 touchdowns through four games, completed 18 of 28 passes for 328 yards and six touchdowns.
“What I am most proud of is his composure out there,” Western coach Dan Davidson said of Muñoz. “He continues to make great reads out there. … We have great weapons and he spreads the ball around nicely.”
Muñoz completed touchdown passes to four different receivers. Junior wideout Caine Savage set the pace with five catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Cassius Savage also had two touchdown catches, and James Mendoza and Rahsaan Hester had the other two.
“I have an amazing receiving corps,” Muñoz said. “I do get a lot of praise for our success, but I couldn’t do anything without them.”
Western (4-1), ranked No. 2 in CIF-SS Division 11, got off to a slow start when its first two drives ended with a turnover and a punt.
Muñoz threw touchdown passes on Western’s next two possessions, both to Cassius Savage from 14 and 23 yards out.
“Cassius is a special player,” Davidson said. “He’s been sick all week and he still came to practice. He stepped up for us tonight.”
Glenn (2-3) matched Western’s early points with a pair of touchdown runs from Edwin Udengwu. Udengwu, who finished with 153 yards on 29 carries, scored from 6 and 4 yards, tying the score at 14-14 in the second quarter.
Glenn took a 21-14 lead when quarterback David Sanchez completed a 5-yard pass to Tim Stevenson with 4:02 remaining in the first half.
Western answered with a 60-yard, 3-minute drive that was capped by a 23-yard TD pass from Muñoz to Caine Savage.
One play after Western’s Simi Ahloe recovered a fumble, Muñoz found Hester on a 41-yard touchdown pass down the middle to give the Pioneers a 28-21 lead at the half.
Glenn took advantage of two Western penalties on its opening possession of the second half and a 1-yard touchdown run by Sanchez knotted the score again at 28-28.
Penalties were one of the themes of the night for Western, which was flagged for 16 infractions.
“We’re continually trying to get better,” Davidson said. “Our intent is there. We just have to channel all of that and play smarter.”
With the score tied at 28 early in the fourth quarter, Muñoz gave the Pioneers the lead for good when he converted a fourth-and-18 play with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Mendoza.
Glenn was yards from tying the score again when an interception by Western’s Jacob Domino on a second-and-goal play ended the threat.
“He (Domino) is the main guy on our defense,” Davidson said. “He is one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached. It was a great read.”
Muñoz then threw his last touchdown pass of the night – a 32-yard strike to Caine Savage – to secure the victory.
Francisco Ruiz caught three passes for 92 yards for Glenn.
Western quarterback Anthony Munoz, Orange County’s leading passer, talks about his performance in the Pioneers 42-28 win over Glenn. @ocvarsity @WHSPios pic.twitter.com/bQIk8jsAhx
— Tony Serna Arduino (@TonySerna15) September 15, 2018