Banneker gets by Westlake

By DAVE PAUL

For the AJC

Banneker 15, Westlake 8: Senior quarterback Tres Houston scored on a 3-yard keeper and registered two interceptions as the visiting Trojans built a 15-2 halftime lead and held on to beat the Lions.

Banneker’s Toby Johnson returned an interception 3 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. It was the second of six interceptions by the Trojans’ defense against four Westlake quarterbacks. Sophomore Chaz Elder had two interceptions for Banneker.

The Westlake offense finally scored with 2:44 remaining on a 9-yard touchdown pass. Quarterback Arthur McDowell connected with Carnell Boyd in the left corner of the end zone and the extra point failed. Westlake’s ensuing onside kick went out of bounds.

Banneker recovered two of its own fumbles on the final drive to preserve the victory.

The Lions could not capitalize on good special-teams play in the first half as Westlake’s return men averaged 24 yards on punt returns and had a 43-yard kickoff return.

The Trojans’ secondary stopped two Westlake drives inside the 20 in the first half. Houston intercepted a Milton Artis pass in the end zone at the end of the first quarter, and Demetruce McNeal broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Artis in the end zone midway through the second.

Westlake benefited from a safety when Banneker’s Devante Taylor launched a snap over the head of McNeal to make the score 8-2 near the end of the first quarter.