“Just believe,” Westfield’s coaching staff repeated to its players
Aldine- The same trust saw the Mustang fans go wild when cornerback Ian Massey intercepted a game-ending pass in overtime. Running back Rayshawn James capped a 17-yard run, helping Westfield preserve a 24-17 victory over Cy-Ranch in the Class 6A-Region II Division II Area round of the playoffs on Saturday evening at Thorne Stadium.
“We just believe,” Mustangs running back Rayshawn James said. “We always come to fight, always came strong and never gave up.”
With the win, Westfield (11-1) will meet Mesquite Horn next Friday at 7 P.M. at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville. Cy-Ranch’s season ended at (11-1).
Satisfied with an opportunity to take advantage of a second chance, Westfield’s Massey leaped through the passing zone and intercepted Cy-Ranch’s quarterback McDougald at the 10-yard line as he downed the ball at the 12 to secure the win.
“It’s just a momentum game,” James explained. “Whoever got the momentum does well. “They missed that field goal, we got the ball and ran with it. Just believe, and hope.”
“We made one more play,” says Westfield coach Matt Meekins. “I knew it would be a slugfest because you got two really good defenses.”
The Mustangs (11-1) attained the initial possession in overtime and scored on its second play from scrimmage when senior running back James took the handoff running left, shrubbed off a defender, and raced to the end zone to give Westfield a 24-17 lead after David Alvarenga’s extra point.
With the score locked at 17 and four seconds left, Cy-Ranch watched its opportunity sail wide left when Austin Rychlik’ hooked a field goal. That gave the Mustangs new life and took the air out the Cy-Ranch fans.
“We just weren’t fortuned enough to make a play or two here or there to win it,” Cy-Ranch head coach Gene Johnson said.
Westfield’s Ra’Quon Washington finished 11-of-20 with 152 yards, a touchdown, and one interception. He added 58 ground yards on 11 carries. James rushed for 96 yards on 12 carries, reeled in four receptions for 55 yards, two scores, and receiver Malachai Jones caught three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
The Mustangs racked up 269 yards and 17 first downs.
Cy-Ranch quarterback, Logan McDougald’s day ended, completing 10-of-18 attempts and two interceptions. CJ Hardy caught two passes for 70 yards.
Using a commanding ground game, Cy-Ranch junior trio backfield of running back Willie Eldridge, quarterback McDougald and tailback Elias Pino pounded the Mustangs defense behind its massive offensive line.
Eldridge scored on a one-yard carry, pushing Cy-Ranch ahead 14-10, following Rychlik’s bonus kick with 11:10 remaining. A forced fumble aided the possession after Cy-Ranch sacked Washington at the Mustangs 34.
Westfield responded on its next series, marching 69 yards-yards in seven plays. Three consecutive big plays spurred the Mustangs after Terrance Gipson entered the game for Washington, who sustained an unknown injury. Gipson ripped off a 13-yard run up the middle to the 45. Senior running back Ivory Roberts beat Cy-Ranch defense to the edge, picking up 19. James added 14 yards before scoring two plays later on a 27-yard pass from Washington as the Mustangs regain the lead, 17-14.
Cy-Ranch then tied the game, 17-17, on Rychlik’s 27-yard field goal with 5:36 remaining.
“They pounded us a little there, but we didn’t give up,” coach Meekins explained. “We held them to a field goal, and that extended the game.”
In the first half, Jones’ spectacular one-handed 30-yard touchdown reception gave Westfield the early lead 7-0 with 3:05 remaining in the first quarter.
The lead would be short-lived as McDougald directed a drive that watched receiver Edwin Smith grab a deep pass in the Mustangs territory. McDougald powered his way into the end zone from a yard out to lock the game at 7-7, following Rychlik’s extra-point kick with 5:48 to go in the second quarter.
Between scores, defense controlled the tempo. Both teams forced a turnover in the first half, including Cy-Ranch defensive back Rance McInnis’ interception and Westfield’s cornerback Jalen Stanford recovered a drive-halting fumble at the Mustangs 30 with 1:27 left in the second quarter.
Westfield lost the yellow hanky war, suffering 13 penalties, totaling 109 yards. However, it won the turnover battle 3-1. Cy-Ranch suffered five penalties for 55 yards.
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