Rancho Bernardo Broncos 17 at Westview Wolverines 20

We had high hopes coming into this game as #8 Rancho Bernardo was facing #7 Westview, and it definitely delivered.  Not only was this a Palomar League game, but it was Homecoming night and the first annual Red, White, and Blue game.  Red, White, and Blue is a national organization that represents and honors military veterans for all that they have done.

Back to football, the first score of the game belonged to RB’s Anthony Barnum with a 47 yard TD run in the first quarter.  Midway through the second quarter, Westview got on the board after a 4 yard TD pass from Beau Nelson to Ben Ratzlaff.  In the following possession for the Broncos, they fumbled the ball and Chris Nagy was able to recover, which lead to a FG making the score 10-7 Westview with their first lead.

Shortly after, Barnum shut down the Wolverines’ defense with an even longer touchdown run, this time scoring from 58 yards out.  The game entered halftime with the Broncos leading 14-10.

The Homecoming halftime show had a Beatles theme and featured floats made by members of each class, several dance performances to Beatles songs, the Westview orchestra, fireworks and of course the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. 

Following a FG by the Broncos in the third quarter, the Wolverines defense saw its spark.  With RB punting out of their own endzone, Michael Shadowen swooped in to block it and Joe Bennett recovered the ball in the endzone.  This knotted the game at 17 for a good while.

In the second half, both defenses had their fair share of turnovers and big stops but it was the Westview team that had a little extra oomph in their system.  With only 1 minute to go in the game, Kicker Talon Osmon kicked the game winning 30 yard FG.  Rancho Bernardo attempted a comeback, but failed due to incompletions and penalties.

So the Westview Wolverines went on to win this one, 20-17.  The players eagerly rushed the field and hoisted the Red, White, and Blue helmet trophy up in the air.  The Broncos fell to 4-2 while the Wolverines remain unbeaten at 6-0.

PREVIEW: This Friday we head out to Westview High School (5-0) to watch the Wolverines face off against a fellow Palomar League team, the Rancho Bernardo Broncos (4-1).  Both teams are coming off of a bye week and according to the rankings Westview is #7 in the county and RB is #8, so this will definitely be a good game.

For the Broncos, Quarterback Mark Salazar has 853 passing yards and only 77 rushing yards halfway through the season.  Rancho Bernardo’s running back, Milan Grice, is a member of the Silver Pigskin watch list and has racked up 436 rushing yards and 4 TD’s. 

On Westview’s side, they boast an unbeaten record and look to maintain that.  Sophomore QB Beau Nelson’s numbers rival that of Salazar, earning 895 passing yards and 59 rushing yards.  However, RB AJ Leonard has gained 564 rushing yards on the season and 4 TD’s as well. 

This is a special game for multiple reasons in that it is Westview’s Homecoming and also that it is the first annual "Red, White, and Blue" game that will be played every year from now on with these two teams.  The special game will honor our military veterans for all that they have done for our country.

The last time these two teams played was last year during Week 7 and Rancho Bernardo won 56-20.  These two teams reached the post season last year as well, the Wolverines were eliminated in the first round and Rancho Bernardo went on to lose in the Championship.

Will RB come out victorious or will Westview remain unbeaten? Watch the Prep Pigskin Report on KUSI every Friday night at 10:30pm to see highlights from this game and all others around San Diego County!