Photo by Andre Odums/OSspits/ossports
Hightower’s quick start left little time for Westfield to test the waters.
Despite battling a 14-3 deficit, Westfield roared back to take down the Hightower Hurricanes, 38-28, on Friday night at Planet Ford Stadium.
Junior quarterback Cardell Williams directed the clinching 70-yard drive.
A crowd of fifty percent watched sophomore running back Dahmeir Scott conclude the frame by scoring on a 13-yard touchdown run while accounting for 64 yards on six carries during that span to give Westfield (1-0) a 31-28 lead it would persevere with 5:44 to go in the third quarter.
“We played well at times, and they played well at times,” Westfield coach Matt Meekins said. “I know we had a turnover on special teams and one on offense. We were able to overcome those turnovers.”
Williams passed for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also carried the ball three times for 42 yards. Scott rushed nine times for 86 yards, a touchdown, and receiver Torian Riggs caught three passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
Following, Westfield’s defense held Hurricanes’ tailback Charles Shelling and quarterback Ja’Kolby Longino three yards shy of the line to gain, forcing a fourth down and three. It led to a turnover on downs.
Still, the Mustangs defense stopped junior receiver Kaleb Johnson a yard short of the first down marker, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Longino threw for 122 yards, two touchdowns, and a sack. He also added 45 ground yards on eight carries and a score. Shelling carried the ball 25 times for 112 yards and one touchdown.
The Hurricanes were victims of its own storm, turning the ball over twice and racking up nine penalties for 70 yards. Opposed to the Mustangs, three penalties for 15 yards.
The Mustangs added an insurance touchdown when Williams dumped a quick pass off to Riggs, who turned in some nifty footwork, allowing him to break free from three would-be tacklers en route to the end zone. Westfield increased its lead, 38-28, after Jonathan Dimas’ 38 extra point kick.
“I was trying to make a play and do what I could to get in the end zone,” Mustangs’ receiver Torian Riggs mentioned. “I felt like we needed to put up numbers to put my team in the best position. They (Hightower) are a great team.”
After, Williams took a snap and kneeled as time ticked down to the final buzzer.
In the first half, Dimas’ 26-yard field goal with 6:35 left in the first quarter gave the Mustangs a 3-0 lead.
However, Hightower, unfazed, wasted little time marching 91 yards with a balanced attack led by Longino and Shelling, who ran and aired the ball at will. Longino capped the drive with a three-yard scoring run, putting the Hurricanes ahead, 7-3 following Armando Ventura’s extra point kick.
Right after, Hurricanes defensive tackle Kardarion Johnson dropped running back Rodney Smith for a one-yard loss to force a punt.
That led to Hightower’s second touchdown: after Longino’s play fake, he hooked up with tight end Trevor Knowles, completing a 12-yard strike, increasing the deficit, 14-3 with 6:44 left in the second quarter.
But the game got interesting after Westfields Deqarius Calhoun returned the kickoff 50 yards to the Hurricanes 45. Then Williams knifed through for a six-yard pickup at the eight-yard line before junior running back Jerome Sanford rambled the final distance, pulling the Mustangs within four, 14-10 after Dimas’ bonus kick.
“We did a lot of bad and good things,” said Westfield’s quarterback, Cardell Williams. “But we kept our heads up and kept the drive alive.”
Over the final 3:10 of the second quarter, both teams combined for 21 points, with Westfield holding a 24-21 lead at halftime.
Fired up and entering the third quarter, Hurricanes’ defensive back Jalen Sampson broke up a third-down pass, shifting the momentum, which led to a short punt which settled at midfield.
Then Shelling took over, carrying the ball six times, accumulating 40 yards and the go-ahead score. Other than Shelling, receiver Caleb Douglas had a ten-yard reception on the possession. Hightower led 28-24 with 8:41 left in the third quarter.
“Our defense played better after the first drive of the second half,” Meekins explained. “We started stopping the run better.”
The Hurricanes will look to even its record next Thursday when it hosts Richmond Foster. Westfield will travel to Thorn Stadium next Saturday to meet conference foe, Nimitz.