Ready to start the game the Warrior special teams unit lines up for the opening kickoff. The Warriors went into the day with a record 6-2 and determined to fight for a Freshman division playoff spot.
Ears focused in on their coach, the Warrior offense listens in during a time out, making necessary adjustments to continue the game. Following the timeout the Warriors picked up their offensive prowess with two more touchdowns scored on the day.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, Freshman football stomped out the Manor Mustangs 21-8, shutting the Mustangs out in the first half. With Manor unable to close the gap throughout the remaining half Westwood took home a win, improving their record to 7-2 on the year.
Westwood started the game on defense but quickly gained possession with a fumble recovery from Noah Doyle ‘27. The Warrior offense, unable to make sufficient gains, lost possession on their first drive. After a small Manor drive Westwood got the ball back at the 41-yard-line, midway through the quarter, however they couldn’t make anything happen, ending in a punt from westwood. Westwood’s defense, struggling to make a dent in Manor’s offense, finally succeeded with another fumble recovery from Travis Halla ‘27, taking the Warriors into the second quarter.
“A big goal of ours is if there was a freshman playoffs to be one of the top four,” Freshman Head Coach Barry Abercrombie said. “Today we clinched that spot so i’m really proud of them for that.”
The Warrior offense picked up momentum going into the second quarter leading to an early touchdown putting Westwood on the board 7-0. Westwood’s defense showed out with tight coverage by Franz and several other stops forcing Manor to punt. Moreover, an Owen Kearsey ‘27 block gave Westwood the ball well down field. Soon after gaining possession, Westwood’s Contrelle Wright ‘27 scored their second touchdown of the game. The Warrior defense kept their streak by defending Westwood’s lead by playing aggressive and keeping a strong front against the Mustangs. The second quarter closed up with a third fumble recovery by Westwood shutting the Mustangs out of the first half 14-0.
“This is my best game yet right here,” Wrightsaid. “[I got] two touchdowns in one game.”
An early interception from Manor put Westwood on defense again, however neither team was able to make a dent leading to a series of turnovers and the ending the third quarter in a stalemate. A similar pattern repeated in the fourth quarter, however, a touchdown crossed in by Wright extended the Warriors’ lead even more to 21-0. Manor, determined to put points on the board, came out strong offensively with a few solid passes, finally scoring, putting points on the board 21-8. As the clock ran down the final seconds of the game Westwood secured their win over Manor 21-8.
“We stuck together when stuff didn’t go well and we cheered each other on when they did,”Coach Abercrombie said. “They stuck together as a team and that carries over.”
Westwood will return Thursday, Nov. 2, for their final game of the season against Vandegrift.
