Bruin Football Squads Sweep Season Openers

All five Westside Bruin youth tackle football teams won their season openers last Saturday at Beverly Hills High. It marked the first time in five seasons that all divisions of the program won on the same weekend. Senior Clinic (7 & 8 year-olds) Head coach Tim Parker kept his team’s spirits up despite a 6-0 fourth-quarter deficit against the Chatsworth Chiefs. But fullback Justin Silvers, following a block by offensive tackle Eddie Johnstone, broke through the Chatsworth defense for an 80-yard touchdown to tie the score with three minutes remaining. Quarterback Chris Keach plowed up the middle for the go-ahead extra point and the Bruins held on to win 7-6. Gremlin (9 & 10-year-olds) Smart play calling and clock management by head coach Perry Klein paid off in the fourth quarter as the Bruins held off Chatsworth 21-18. Klein, a former Palisades High and NFL quarterback, charged up his defense, which made a critical stop late in the game to preserve the win. Tiny Mite (10 & 11-year-olds) A new Bruin star emerged as 11-year-old D’Anthony Thomas scored five touchdowns in a lopsided 39-6 victory over the Los Angeles Sheriffs. Thomas caught three touchdown passes, ran for a touchdown and returned an interception for another score. Lawrence Villasenor also scored on a 65-yard run. Julian Harrison and Jalani McCoy shut down the Sheriffs’ offense. Head coach Ted Baker has a talented team as both Thomas and Jared Baker are among the top 100 meter sprinters in the United States in their age group. Pee Wee (12 & 13-year-olds) Last season’s league champions and conference runner-ups started where they left off with a dominating 26-6 win over the Sheriffs. Bruin quarterback J.P. O’Fallon had a successful day both passing and running. Jordan Benton got the Bruins off to a fast start by returning the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Starting tailbacks Zack Davis and Vince Lawrence combined for 100 yards rushing. Midget (13 & 14-year-olds) Head coach Jio Lucci’s conference champions increased their unbeaten streak to 23 games with a 44-0 shutout of Chatsworth. Quarterback Dex Lucci threw several touchdown passes for the Bruins, whose streak spans three seasons.