North County Game of the Week Preview: Poway Titans 31, Westview Wolverines 14

The Poway Titans (5-4, 2-1) scored a surprising 31-14 upset over the Westview Wolverines (7-2, 2-1) Friday night at Poway in the "Escondido Cycle Center" North County Game of the week.  The win kept the Titans in line for at least a share of the Palomar league title, and a possible home game in the Division 1 Playoffs, it also improved head coach Damian Gonzalez’s record against Westview to 10-1.  While the Wolverines are reeling after back-to-back losses at La Costa Canyon and Poway.

Westview which has one of the best defenses in the county, watched Poway drive right down the field on their 1st drive of the game, just 2 minutes and 45 seconds in finding the end zone when Junior Quarterback Robbie Sullivan went over the top of the defense finding Junior Chris Butler for a 31 yard score.  

Poway would force another three and out, this time they went to another Junior, running Back Jared Adelman who took the hand off and sliced through the Wolverines defense for an 11 yard score and a 14-0 lead.

The Titans Defense came up big just before the end of the 1st half, with senior Jacob Gaines intercepting Westview Sophomore Quarterback Beau Nelson.  Gaines who also plays running back for the Titans was rewarded moments later when he took the hand off and ran it in from five yards out to give Poway a 21-0 lead at the half.

Westview made the necessary adjustments at the half, and finally got their offense to click, Nelson hit Connor Franklin on a post route to cut the lead to 21-7, then Junior running back A.J. Leonard went 50 yards and the Wolverines found themselves down just seven.

Westview’s defense forced a fumble on their side of the field, but found themselves backed up near their own end zone.  And that is where the game changed, when Titans defensive end Sean Miller sacked Nelson in the end zone for a safety and a 23-14 lead.  Adelman would add his second touchdown of the game after that and now Westview must beat Mt. Carmel (6-3, 1-2) on the road next Friday to claim a share of their 1st Palomar league title. While the Titans finish the regular season at Rancho Bernardo (7-2, 2-1), winner of that one will also get at least a share of the Palomar League title.

North County Game of the Week Preview

The Westview Wolverines (7-1, 2-0) can clinch at least a share of their Palomar league title with a win at Poway (4-4, 1-1) in the Escondido Cycle Center North County game of the Week.

Despite coming off their 1st loss of the season last week in the last seconds at La Costa Canyon, the Wolverines have been one of the biggest surprises in 2015, already winning four more games this season than they did in 11 games in 2014, and they still have two regular season games left and the playoffs.  

Westview who is atop the CIF Division 2 power rankings, has done it this season with their defense, giving up just 10.5 point per game.  The defense doesn’t have just one standout player it has several including senior linebacker, Cole Sutton who leads the team with 3 interceptions, Senior defensive Lineman Raymond "Trey" Rowe who has 5 of the teams 20 sacks,
Natnael "Nati" Yitayew with 14 pass break ups, Free Safety Michael Shadowen who leads the team with 59 tackles, and senior linebacker David Myung.  

Wolverines head coach Mike "Coach Woody" Woodward, subscribes to the philosophy play good defense and control the clock on offense and he does that with Junior Running Back A.J. Leonard, who leads the team with 123.1 all purpose yards per game with 102 of those on the ground, along seven touchdowns.  Also look for receiver Ben Ratzlaff who leads the team with eight touchdowns including one in each of the last five games.

Poway is coming off a loss to Ramona last Friday, but the Titans have two solid wins including at Torrey Pines and one over Mt. Carmel at home. Poway is ranked 15th out of 20 in the Division 1 standings, and they have a shot at the Palomar league title but they must win this game.

Look for Junior Running Back Jared Adelman to make plays, he does it both as a running back and returner. While Conor Boyle Runs the Offense under center.  The Titans also have one of the best kickers in San Diego County in Senior Shane Gurule.

 Coach Damian Gonzalez also stresses playing defense.  "Gang Green" as the Titans defense has been known for in the past, gives up just 16 points a game.  

Expect an old school, run the ball, and play defense type of game.  

Follow me on Twitter @RickWillis99 for in game updates, plus a pre-game prediction.  I am also looking for the best snack bar in the county #FeedRick on Instagram.  

We will have all the highlights and post game reaction from this game and 31 more Friday Night at 10:30 PM on the "Prep Pigskin Report".