East Pitting Size Against West’s Speed

Contrasting styles will clash when East meets West in the Ventura County Lions-Coaches high school all-star football game at 7:30 tonight at Ventura High.

“It’s our size against their quickness,� said Westlake Coach Jim Benkert, who will direct the East.

The East team features Thousand Oaks running back Cory Bowen, who rushed for 1,704 yards and scored 22 touchdowns last season. He will run behind an offensive line that averages 260 pounds and includes tackles Jason Wendland (6-foot-5, 275) of Royal and Paul Yerman (6-3, 235) of Thousand Oaks.

“We’re big, but they are even bigger,� said West Coach Jon Mack of St. Bonaventure.

Quarterbacks Tim Kirksey (693 yards passing) of Westlake and Ryan Huisenga (1,698 yards) of Moorpark will share the position for the East. They will throw to receivers Erik Holcomb (60 catches, 1,032 yards) of Westlake, Dave Romines (48 catches, 1,070 yards) of Simi Valley and Rob Salone (43 catches, 757 yards) of Moorpark.

Nose guard Jason Evans (6-1, 260) of Royal, linebackers Tag Johnson (5-11, 195) of Camarillo and Vince Bruno (6-3, 215) of Westlake head the defense.

The West will counter with running backs Gordy Abellera (1,249 yards rushing) of Rio Mesa and Nacho Vega (988 yards) of Nordhoff, and a strong running quarterback in Ventura’s Trevor Rumsey (530 yards rushing).

When the West wants to pass, it will turn to Buena’s Matt Ertman (833 yards in eight games) and receivers Swanson Nunnery (39 catches, 777 yards) of Rio Mesa and Chris Kalaleh (46 catches, 770 yards) of Oxnard. Ventura center Justin Werth (6-2, 265) anchors a solid line.

Defensive stalwarts for the West include safety Elan Walshe of Ventura (10 interceptions), linebacker Matt Johnson (6-3, 235) of Nordhoff and cornerback Andy Contreras (5-10, 160) of Rio Mesa.