HS FOOT: Isham is a hit in Westlake victory

VALENCIA -- Talk about doing it all.

Nick Isham of Westlake High put on a show Thursday in a 42-20 football victory over Saugus at College of the Canyons, completing 16 of 18 passes for 153 yards and four touchdowns, plus catching a couple of passes, scoring on a 75-yard interception return and making a few other key plays on defense.

Isham is only a junior but is making quite an impact. In two games, he has completed a remarkable 84 percent of his passes (21 for 25) for 288 yards and seven touchdowns.

Isham is also the punter, but he ran Westlake's offense so efficiently that he did not need to punt until the final minutes, booting a 36-yard after scooping an errant snap in the end zone.

Tavior Mowry added 100 yards on 12 carries and Nelson Spruce had six receptions for 79 yards, as Westlake broke a two-game series losing streak.

Big plays hurt Saugus in the first half.

Mowry's 40-yard run on Westlake's first play from scrimmage set up an 8-yard touchdown pass from Isham to Tre'shon Wilson. On Westlake's next possession, Isham hit Spruce on a 42-yard pass, and Wilson again cashed in with a 10-yard touchdown reception.

A big reason Saugus kept the score close in the first half was a 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive that gobbled nearly eight minutes, culminating on Zack Gauthier's 2-yard touchdown run.

Saugus also benefited from a couple of 51-yard punts by Manny Padron.

Besides the long scoring drive, Saugus totaled minus-3 yards on its three other first-half possesions, as Westlake outgained the Centurions 210-77 at the half.

Saugus finished with 251 total yards in a decisive loss for a team that has advanced to the Northern Division semifinals each of the past two seasons.

Gauthier rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns in 28 carries and completed 12 of 19 passes for 111 yards.

Saugus safety Ryan Schaefer injured his arm in the first quarter and was taken to the hospital.

In the first half, Isham completed 8 of 9 for 69 yards and two touchdowns. He alternated at quarterback with Michael Bercovici and switched to receiver, catching two passes for 13 yards.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com