Lilah Schlanger
Weston Franz '27 sprawls out to make a diving catch in the endzone. The Warriors struggled to score points through the air with only one touchdown on the day keeping the score close.
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Freshman football team played in a makeup game after Westwood’s originally scheduled game against Round Rock was postponed due to rain. After a long and anticipatory week, the Warriors finally took the field against their district foes, edging out the Dragons in a close game 10-8.
Westwood started the first quarter with the ball but Round Rock quickly gained possession with strong defense. Both sides struggled offensively, and after a fumble recovery of the ball Westwood gained possession once again. Midway through the first quarter the Warriors scored the first points of the game with a touchdown made by Canon Olofson ‘21 putting Westwood on the scoreboard 7-0. The Warrior defense held strong shutting out Round Rock in the 1st quarter.
“It felt great [to have good plays] but I couldn’t have done it without my blockers,” Wide Receiver Westwon Franz ‘27 said.
Early in the second quarter, the Warriors snagged a well-timed interception, quickly taking the ball back from the Dragons. However, Round Rock took over midway through the second quarter and scored shortly after, taking the lead 7-8. With Westwood unable to respond, the first half closed up with a score of 7-8.
“Just have to believe in my team for making that game save on first down,” Running Back and Kicker Deshaun Stewart ‘27 said. “You already know it’s a great feeling, teamwork.”
The Dragons took possession at the start of the third quarter, and after a series of incomplete passes and turnovers Westwood finished the third quarter in possession of the ball. Following such a defensive quarter, the fourth quarter tested Westwood’s resilience as once again back-and-forth possessions kept either team from scoring. With the game on the line, in the last seconds of the game Stewart kicked a game winning field goal sending the Warriors into a frenzy with a 10-8 victory.
“It felt pretty good [to have the game winning kick],” Stewart said. “I have to stay composed of course.”
The Warriors will return to action next Thursday, Sept. 28, for an away game against Cedar Ridge.