West Ranch improves to (7-0) despite scare from Hart in 20-14 victory Friday night.

Entering Friday night’s Foothill League showdown, West Ranch had everything going its way. After multiple blowout victories to begin their season, the team perhaps reached its high point last week with a 43-6 win over defending champion Saugus. With a matchup against Hart who entered the evening on a two-game losing streak and (1-4) record, few observers would have expected this game to come down to the final play. But that’s precisely how it went.

On a night when the Wildcat’s potent offense was uncharacteristically tamed, the West Ranch defense stood strong to squash Hart’s final drive and hold on for a 20-14 victory. Despite an offense featuring Ryan Staub, Chaz Hilst, and Ryan Deperno, three key figures that have led the team atop the Foothill League standings, it was the West Ranch defense who played the hero on this evening.

Hart’s defense, however, was nearly equal to the task. A large one at that. Opposing an offense averaging 48 points per game this season, the two teams remained scoreless until Staub and Hilst connected on 19-yard touchdown pass after a Hart fumble set the Wildcats up with strong field position. That, however, would be the only touchdown scored by either side in the first half, as the teams entered the lockeroom with West Ranch leading 7-0.

The Indians would get their footing under themselves midway through the third quarter when quarterback Tim Larkins found his favorite target Shawn Irwin for a 39-yard touchdown pass to even the score.

The West Ranch offense could only be held in check for so long, as the next drive from the Wildcats concluded with a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Tyler Scott to put them back on top. Another touchdown pounded in by runningback Luke Deperno at the beginning of the fourth quarter put the Wildcats ahead 20-7 with 10:47 remaining in the game.

But Hart wasn’t ready to relinquish their chance at playing spoiler. With just a 1:53 remaining, Larkins found Ryan De La Maz who broke free into the open field for a 55-yard score, cutting the West Ranch lead down to a skinny 6 points.

Hart’s onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, but after getting a stop on 4th down inside their own 30, Hart had a shot with just under a minute to play.

After two missed connections deep down the field led to a 4th and 10 situation, Larkins was able to connect with one of his wideouts for a first down before spiking the ball and stopping the clock. Then, another first down. And another.

Before West Ranch could blink, Larkins had driven the Indians down inside Wildcats territory. With just 5 seconds left, one play to win it all, Larkins set in the shotgun received a low snap. After fielding it off the ground, Larkins rolled to his right, but by then, a host of Wildcats took him down in the backfield before he could get a pass off, and West Ranch retained their perfect record as the clock expired.

With the win, West Ranch improves to (7-0) overall and 3-0 in league play, first in the Foothill League. A valiant effort from Hart falls just short as they move to (1-5) overall and 0-2 on the season in league play. West Ranch will host Valencia on Friday, October 7th looking to maintain their perfect ledger. Hart will look to bounce back and get their first Foothill League victory of the season when they welcome Saugus in for a home game that same evening.

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