EL CAJONEL CAJON — Braden Oberg and Max Conaway had been the two biggest offensive contributors to West Hills’ early undefeated start.
But they aren’t the only players leading the Wolf Pack in their best start in 26 seasons (and second-best ever).
In the first half alone Friday night, Dylan Snyder and Diego Calderon each scored two rushing touchdowns, and Nate Greene added a 68-yard TD sprint as visiting West Hills took a 35-point lead en route to a 49-0 victory over Valhalla in the Grossmont Valley League to improve to 6-0, 2-0. Valhalla fell to 1-5, 0-2.
Calderon, just a sophomore, added a career-high third score (11 yards) in the third quarter, and backup QB Collin Dill tacked on a 1-yard keeper score to complete the blowout with a running clock.
“They work just as hard as I do,” said Oberg, who completed 5-of-9 es for 76 yards and rushed for 42 yards but did not produce a TD for the first time this year. “It’s nice to see the other guys get the fruits of their labor.”
Oberg, a three-year starter at 6-feet and 185 pounds, has thrown for 686 yards and 10 TDs without an interception. Fellow senior Conaway has 20 catches for 381 yards and seven TDs. Oberg is also the team’s rushing leader with 324 yards and five TDs.
Calderon rushed for 75 yards and got his three TDs on just 10 carries. “It was fun,” he said, “everybody celebrating like we did.”
Greene tallied 109 yards and a TD on just three carries. Snyder scored on both his carries, plus caught a 37-yard , as West Hills rushed for 353 yards and totaled 429 yards.
“Our goal was to rush for 300 yards,” West Hills coach Casey Ash said. “We want to get better in the run game.”
West Hills’ best start was 9-0 in 1995, and then it lost to Valhalla 21-7 and El Camino 28-21 in overtime in the playoffs.
West Hills is currently ranked No. 2 in the San Diego Section Division III playoff rankings behind Santa Fe Christian but ahead of No. 4 Mater Dei. All three were undefeated heading into Friday’s game. Valhalla was ranked No. 5 in Division IV. Six other times the Wolf Pack started 5-0, but they have never advanced to a section championship game.
West Hills took its first possession 73 yards in seven plays capped by a Snyder 14-yard TD. Fredrick Rowbotham blocked a Valhalla punt at the 13-yard line, and Calderon scored two plays later on a 1-yard run.
Late in the first quarter, Greene raced 68 yards down the left sideline for a 21-0 lead.
Calderon tacked on a 6-yard TD and Snyder an 11-yarder to make it 35-0 at halftime.
The offensive line of Hunter Wetherby, Gavin Condon, Trevor Imbimbo, Lance Briseno and Andrew Engstrom opened up some huge holes to allow the Wolf Pack to score on five of their first six possessions.
“These kids have been very successful, and we expected to be in this situation,” Ash said. “That’s what this team is. There’s more quality depth overall, and there’s more depth on the line.”
Brandon Wilson and Yousif Basaka had big sacks, and Donovan Mjelde had a key interception to help thwart the Norsemen, who have scored only 21 points and were shut out for the fourth time. West Hills, meanwhile, has outscored its foes, 235-45.
“I was very impressed by West Hills,” Valhalla coach Charles Bussey said. “I told Coach Ash, ‘He’s got the right formula.’ They run their system beautifully. I think his team can make a deep run in the playoffs.”
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
Grossmont Valley League
WEST HILLS 49, VALHALLA 0
West Hills 21 14 7 7 — 49
Valhalla 0 0 0 0 — 0
WH — Snyder 14 run (Haley kick)
WH — Calderon 1 run (Haley kick)
WH — Greene 68 run (Haley kick)
WH — Calderon 6 run (Haley kick)
WH — Snyder 11 run (Hermiz kick)
WH — Calderon 11 run (Haley kick)
WH — Dill 1 run (Haley kick)
