Photo by Andre Odums of ossports
Spring – Each year, expect these two Houston Area powers to battle from inception to finish. It unfolded this season, though not as dramatically as last year, when North Shore needed a last-second field goal to beat its northwest rival.
Behind a defensive first half which initiated the third quarter with a dominating offensive performance, sparked by turnovers, saw Westfield’s defense seal the game.
“The goal was to get them on the ground as much as possible,” Westfield’s defensive coordinator Dez Black explained. “That hadn’t been happing a lot this year.”
Senior quarterback Cardell Williams threw a 38-yard scoring pass to receiver Xavian Todd. Sophomore linebacker Breylon Wyatt downed Mustangs’ receiver Jhalyn Bailey, and Westfield snapped North Shore’s 21-game regular-season win streak while it won 27-21 on Friday night at Planet Ford Stadium.
Wyatt dropped North Shore’s receiver Bailey for a two-yard loss at North Shore’s 23-yard line to force a punt. Then Westfield’s running back, Rodney Smith, had two big runs, covering 39 yards to ice the game as
Williams took two snaps and kneeled to run out the clock.
“We gave it all we had,” Westfield’s defensive lineman mentioned. “We took one for the team. When you have 300-pound linemen blocking, you have to battle hard to penetrate the backfield.”
A crowded stadium watched Williams toss a quick pass to Todd, who used his quickness to shift between defenders to reach the end zone 38-yards later, giving Westfield (3-0) a 24-21 lead it would not relinquish.
Williams finished his evening passing for 223 yards on 14-of-25 attempts, two scores, and one interception.
Westfield’s tight end/defensive end Dominic Bailey, middle linebacker Brian Eashmond, defensive tackle Anthony Holmes and Wyatt led a defensive charge that helped snap the Mustangs 21-game regular-season win streak.
“Throughout practice this week, our guys did a great job with the game plan, understanding the stunts and the pressures, blending in the pressures, and mixed coverages to keep them off-balance,” Black said.
North Shore (2-1) trailed, 17-14 entering the fourth quarter. But it accumulated yards quickly as it progressed down the field. Rotating quarterback Wyndell Mitchell Jr., who started the second-half pass to receiver Nessiah Dunham, gave it 11 yards at the 36. Junior tailback Rashaad Johnson tacked on a ten-yard pickup at the 46 before Mitchell hooked up with 6’5″ budding receiver Joseph Richard at the Westfield 30.
Finally, runningback Xavier Owens finished the series with a one-yard plug. That pushed North Shore ahead, 21-17 after Andres Montes-Samora’s kick with 8:16 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Mistakes impeded both teams. However, North Shore hoped for execution rather than watching the ball sail over Mitchell’s head on third and three. On the next play, Westfield blocked Montes’ punt as it took over at the Mustangs seven. It eventually led to sensational sophomore Jonathan Dimas’ 36-yard field goal to give Westfield a six-point lead, 27-21 with 3:46 left.
In the first quarter of action, Westfield’s receiver Dajohn Palomo returned a punt 42 yards to North Shore’s 23-yard line to set up Dimas’ stunning 52-yard field goal to grab a 3-0 advantage with 8:53 left in the first quarter.
Both defensives held their own as expected in the first half. North Shore’s standout linebacker Kent Battle sacked Willams twice in the first quarter and forced a turnover. However, a stubborn Westfield defense stopped North Shore on its first four possessions of the game despite its best drive extending 61 yards. It halted after receiver/cornerback Demorio Sheffield sacked junior quarterback Darrell Jean at the 13-yard line, leading to Montes’ first of two failed field goal attempts. The 30-yard effort shifted wide right with 1:10 to go in the first quarter.
Other than Westfield’s field goal, the first quarter slanted towards defense. Both teams moved the ball, but neither defense surrendered.
The offenses traded possessions in the second quarter as the defenses continued to control the game, which combined for five first-half sacks.
Montes watched his second field goal attempt drift wide left, with 10:28 remaining in the second quarter.
Still, North Shore searched for points after Johnson ripped off a 43-yard run to the Westfield 18-yard line. Yet, a few plays later, Westfield’s linebacker Brian Eashmond sacked Jean to force fourth and seven.
North Shore used five running backs, including Damon Ford, Treyventa Hilliard, Johnson, Javin Logan, Owens, and periodically executed quick passes. But Westfield would answer each challenge in the second half.
Many similarities between the teams saw Westfield execute its attack.
Williams connected with senior receiver Chuuky Hines in the second quarter, picking up 46 yards at the Mustangs’ 27-yard line. A play later, North Shore’s defensive back Jayven Anderson intercepted Williams at North Shore’s four-yard line with 35 seconds to go in the second quarter.
Yet, disaster struck the Mustangs when Jean fumbled the option pitch as Bailey scooped the loose ball at the three-yard line and trotted into the end zone, increasing Westfield’s lead 10-0 with 25 seconds left before intermission.
North Shore entered the third quarter fired up. It forced a three and out as Mitchell Jr. directed a 68-yard scoring drive. Owens picked up 14 yards on two carries to the 46-yard line before Mitchell went up top, finding Richard twice for big plays. Richard tight roped the sideline after reeling in a 30 reception under tight coverage at the Westfield 24. Then Mitchell went to Richard again, capping the possession with a 19-yard strike, cutting the deficit 10-7 with 8:04 to go in the third quarter.
Mitchell completed 8-of-12 attempts for 139 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Johnson had seven carries for 74 yards, and Owens rushed nine times for 42 yards and a touchdown. Richard added four receptions for 98 yards and a score.
The action-packed third quarter shocked the crowd with a turn of events.
Bailey intercepted Mitchell and raced 60 yards to the North Shore ten yard line, but on the first play from scrimmage, Williams fumbled the ball at the goal line, and somehow Anderson picked up the ball and sprinted 99 yards to give the Mustangs its first lead of the game, 14-10.
“Key interceptions and takeaways at crucial times were huge for us,” Black said. “We knew we would have to do that because North Shore’s offense is very powerful, and it has been for the past two years.”
Meanwhile, the game continued on a unique pattern from the first half, with surprises.
Williams made up for the fumble as Westfield responded, marching 76 yards in seven plays. The protection up front allowed him time to spot an uncovered Sheffield streaking down the middle of the field for an easy score as Westfield re-captured the lead, 17-14, with no time left in the third quarter.
The tale of different halves ended after Westfield’s defense gained control to preserve the victory.
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