WESTMINSTER – The big-play ability of Whittier’s was on display all game long as the Cardinals cruised to a 49-14 victory over Westminster on Thursday night at Westminster High.
The Cardinals (5-1), who feature 1,000 yard-rusher Jonathan Arceneaux, took a different approach against the Lions (0-6) and focused on their passing game from the outset.
Whittier was led by quarterback JC Lopez (334 passing yards) and the receiving duo of Jasper Mendoza and Angel Ruiz. Mendoza had a team high 235 yards on seven catches and two touchdowns and Ruiz scored three touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing).
The Cardinals’ first play from scrimmage was a precursor of things to come as Lopez’s quick screen pass to Mendoza turned into an 80-yard score.
Whittier coach Visko Ancich was pleased with the execution of the first touchdown.
“We had talked about the first play of the game for the whole week,” Ancich said. “We ran through that (play), and if we got a certain look we were going to take advantage of it.
“They (Westminster) wanted to make sure they didn’t let Arceneaux get free, but our quarterback makes decisions at the line of scrimmage and he’s allowed to make those calls. About half of our pass plays in the first half were his calls (audible) off of run plays.”
Westminster is still searching for its first victory of the season under first-year coach Willy Puga.
“I liked our effort, we made some plays, we just need to make more,” Puga said. “We’ve shown at times we can play with these teams so far, but we’re just not maintaining any type of momentum.”
After falling behind 14-0, the Lions responded with a scoring drive led by QB Malachi Mesa and capped by Lloyd Maia’s 12-yard run to cut the deficit in half with 4:04 left in the first quarter.
Lopez hit Mendoza on another long TD pass on the Cardinals next drive, this one for 69-yards to give Whittier a 21-7 lead.
Ancich was in awe of his wide receiver’s final stats.
“I knew he had a good game but that’s pretty fantastic,” Ancich said.
Mendoza’s one-handed catch in the second quarter led to Arceneaux’s 65-yard touchdown run and a 28-7 advantage midway through the second quarter.
Despite all the attention Arceneaux received, the shifty sophomore was still able to eclipse the century mark finishing with 162 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns.