Backed by breakout performances from quarterback Jameson Wang ’20 and wide receiver Cam Jones ’18, the football team routed Dominguez 54-31 to finish their non-league slate undefeated.
The offense again recorded strong numbers, though not in a familiar way. For the first time this season, the Wolverines leaned heavily on their air attack, throwing both early and often.
Despite throwing an interception on the Wolverines’ first offensive down of the game, Wang recovered immediately, leading the Wolverine to a touchdown on their very next drive, capped by a 7-yard strike to Jones. The sophomore quarterback showed outstanding anticipation and touch, finishing the night with a career-high seven touchdowns.
“I think that’s what a great quarterback does,” head coach Scot Ruggles said. “You’re gonna make bad plays and you’ve got to have a short memory, and Jameson’s always been able to stay cool, calm and collected.”
Wang picks out Jones for a 25 yard TD. @hwfootball leads 27-7, Q3 4:55 pic.twitter.com/cBTv6cKx7h
— Harvard-Westlake (@hwathletics) September 23, 2017
Wang now has 12 passing touchdowns on the season, as well as 10 rushing scores.
Jones also set a career high by hauling in five of Wang’s TD passes. The slot receiver scored on plays of seven, 71, 25, 51 and 83 yards. Three of Jones’ touchdowns were short passes that the team captain converted into long catch-and-run touchdowns. He also pitched in on defense, pulling down an interception in the third quarter.
“It feels great,” Jones said. “Coach [Ruggles] knew the defense and knew that I would be open, so he kept calling the plays to get me open and allow me to score.”
Halfback Thomas Glover ’18 added two touchdowns, one through the air at the end of the first half and one on the ground in the second. Wide receiver Brendan Kang ’20 caught his first career receiving touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
RT @HWCsports SIX! Jameson Wang with another touchdown, this time to Brendan Kang! 47-15 Wolverines with 9:19 left in the game pic.twitter.com/PVLFHSE2NP
— Harvard-Westlake (@hwathletics) September 23, 2017
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Jack Peterson ’18 was a disruptive force in the Dominguez backfield, notching a sack on Dons quarterback Dillon Mendoza and several other key tackles. Linebacker and captain Will Goldberg ’19 also recovered a pair of Dominguez fumbles.
The Wolverines enter league play this season unbeaten with an average margin of victory of 20.8 points. At this same point last season, the team was 3-2 with an average point differential of 1.6.
After a bye week, the Wolverines will play their homecoming game against Cathedral on Oct. 7. When these two teams met last season, the Phantoms held the Wolverines scoreless and won a 56-0 blowout.
“We’re just trying to come out and do what we do best, basically everything, and do what we can to win,” Jones said. “It’s homecoming, so we have to go out with a bang.”