PREP FOOTBALL : Sunset League : Edison Trounces Westminster, 42-7

They may have come into the game with identical 3-1 Sunset League records, but Edison High School left no doubt which was the better team, defeating Westminster, 42-7, on the Lions’ home field in front of 1,800 Thursday night.

With the victory, Edison earns a playoff spot as the No. 2 team from the Sunset League behind Fountain Valley (5-0).

Edison quarterback Donnie Smith and crew moved at will through the Westminster defense. By the half, the domination was complete. Edison led 28-7, had racked up 313 yards and held Westminster to 69.

Edison took 3 seconds to score. On the first play of the game, Smith hooked up with tight end Brian Ryder for an 89-yard touchdown.

After 3 unsuccessful downs, playoff-bound Westminster then punted to the Edison 33. The Chargers needed 2 plays and 7 seconds to score this time.

After a 7-yard completion to Patrick Reilly, Smith handed off to fullback Gus Miranda at his 40 and Miranda went the distance to make it 14-0.

Westminster appeared to put together a drive with a little help from the Chargers in the form of successive 15-yard penalties, but Scott Jarrett intercepted a Bob Elliot pass to give Edison possession at its 41.

This time the Chargers took a little more time (1 minute 15 seconds) and 3 plays to score. The touchdown came on a 30-yard quarterback sneak by Smith, who had a sparkling first half.

In that half, he completed 9 of 13 passes for 168 yards, 2 interceptions, 2 touchdown passes and the touchdown run. After a second-quarter touchdown pass to Art Baird, Smith spent most of the second half handing the ball off to running backs.

Westminster’s only score came in the first half and the Lions got a little help from Edison. The Chargers were penalized for 42 yards in the drive.

A 22-yard pass from Elliot to Jim Slagle and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Osavale Fiaseu were the highlights in the Westminster drive.

In the second half, Smith connected with Miranda on a 39-yard pass to set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Miranda. The Chargers’ final score came on a 1-yard run by Shane Sherman. In the drive, Sherman carried 5 times for 49 yards.