On Wednesday, Aug. 30 the Westwood Warriors JV football team competed against the Austin High Maroons for their second game of the season. Although playing a close game the Warriors ultimately fell to the Maroons 12-8.

“There were a lot of ups and downs and momentum changes but I think our team played good,” Andreas Fisher ‘26 said.

The Warrior’s defense started strong through the first two quarters of the game, and the team worked fluidly to improve the teams’ success during plays throughout the game. However, just as the Warriors began building up some momentum on defense, the Maroons scored the first touchdown going up 6-0.

“Our offense has to focus on executing the plays and our defense has to work on finishing our tackles,“ Fisher said.

The Warriors punched back during the third quarter, scoring a touchdown, converting a two point conversion, and taking the lead 8-6. Spirits were high, and a sense of teamwork was alive within the Warriors.

“I felt like we played well as a team all around, our effort was there and the excitement was amazing,” Solomon Howard ‘25 said.

The Warriors needed a lifeline as the game was slowly ticking away and after the defense intercepted the ball they were set up in a good position to score. However, on fourth down the Maroons’ defense held strong and suppressed the Warriors who turned it over on downs diminishing their hopes of winning, and keeping the score 8-6.

“We need to learn when we need to get all the block, we need to push them through not falling backwards when tore down,” Jameson Murphy-Hall ‘26 said.

Holding on to a miniscule 8-6 lead, the Warrior defense needed to step up and make a stand before the game ended. However the defense could not hold them back and the Maroons scored the final points of the game passing it in for six. With limited time left the Warriors couldn’t strike back, finalizing the score at 12-8.

“I felt like we could do better, we could do better finishing [the game],” Limerial Stogner ‘26 said.

Though they suffered a close loss, the Warriors maintained a spirit of togetherness and played a powerful game. Even in a losing streak, the Warriors remained united and positive.

“We’ve worked hard together,” Hudson Radcliffe ‘26 said. “We’re one, we’re all one force when we’re playing together. We’re all one team. We’re one family. So, it’s really nice to be able to come together even if we lost, this brings us together as a brotherhood.”

The Warriors will play next week, taking on Bastrop Thursday Sept. 7 at the Warrior bowl starting at 5:30.