Football Recap: Ayden Payne and Tywon Nesby Lead the Defense for Western Win

Chance Thomas

Passer Rating

09/19/25 @ San Dimas	148.1
09/11/25 vs La Mirada	124.5
08/29/25 vs Villa Park	118.5
10/17/25 vs Cypress	117.6
08/21/25 vs Salesian	113.4
+ 3 more games

If Cypress wanted to avenge their loss from the last time they played Western, they should've done a better job of containing Chance Thomas. The Pioneers walked away with a 34-27 victory over the Centurions on Friday with plenty of help from Thomas, who threw for 261 yards and two TDs, and also rushed for 30 yards and one touchdown. His passing game has become a key predictor of Western's success: the team is undefeated when his passer rating is 100 or higher, but only 0-3 otherwise.

Western didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Ayden Payne and Tywon Nesby. Western received some extra help from Rufus Dogbah, whose fumble return for a touchdown made for one of the most unforgettable moments.

Although Cypress took the loss, they still got scores from Xavier Guerrero, Bryson Busbee, and Alijah Ashcraft.

Western's win was their first in the league, bumping their league record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 5-3. As for Cypress, they are on a five-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 3-5.

Western wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next game, a 42-21 defeat against Tustin on the 23rd. As for Cypress, they also didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next contest, a 28-7 loss against Trabuco Hills on the 24th.