Westfield Remain Undefeated downing GPNS 31-28

photo: gowestfieldathletics

Spring Westfield's string of exciting games continues with win over North Shore

HOUSTON - On a night when both teams landed heavy body blows in the 4th quarter, Spring Westfield's Ed Oliver stripped Galena Park North Shore quarterback Maciah Long of the ball to finish off North Shore in a battle of two of the top teams in the Houston area and the entire state, 31-28.

North Shore scored first and did not have the lead again until late in the game. On 2nd and 6 from the 19, Long had a beautiful 18 yard called QB keeper as he knifed through defenders down to the 1. He scored on the very next play bulling his way in for the touchdown.

The first quarter however, quickly became the Tyrie Cleveland show. The Westfield receiver scored two different ways as the visiting Mustangs built a 14-7 lead.  First Cleveland raced the Mustangs' kickoff back 100 yards for the touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. Then, quarterback, Dillon Sterling-Cole found him on a nice pitch and catch for a 27 yard touchdown to end the quarter.

Ed Oliver, the U of H commit, then highlighted his super athletic ability on Westfield’s next scoring drive in the 2nd quarter. With 5:08 remaining until the half, North Shore running back, Daniel Young was upended after a 5 yard gain on first down. Following a Westfield timeout on 2nd down and 5 from the 41 yard line Sterling-Cole found receiver Joshua Leblanc for a big 36 yard play-action pass down to GPNS’s 23. Westfield then went to their big package as Oliver entered as a fullback. The visiting Mustangs converted a 4th and 1, after which, Oliver scored on a 3 yard stretch run where he showed his speed and outran some GPNS defenders to the end zone. Westfield took a 21-7 lead into halftime.

After the break in the 3rd quarter Maciah Long had his best orchestrated drive of the night culminating in 16 yard TD pass to slot receiver Bryant Badie. The drive was 11 plays long. Badie was open all night finding seams in the tough Westfield defense.

Gavin Do kicked a field goal with 6:45 to go in the 3rd quarter extending the Mustangs lead to 21-14. Westfield then attempted a onside kick but GPNS Kieston Roach recovered. On 1st and 10, running back Tyler Boudreaux had his best run of the night with a 31 yard gain that brought the ball down to Westfield's 29. He then picked up a yard on first down. On second and 9 at the 28, Long sidestepped a sack and fired a 17 yard pass down to the 11. On first down he threw incomplete, setting up another easy score to a wide open Badie from the slot once again. The North Shore Mustangs were finally in striking distance 24-21.

The first play on the next Westfield drive fueled GPNS's upset aspirations when the Westfield running back fumbled the ball away. But on 3rd and 12, defensive back Warren Dillon intercepted Long and seemed to assure that Spring Westfield would remain as one of the Houston areas top teams along with Katy as unbeatens.

North Shore had several opportunities to knock off the previously unbeaten Westfield Mustangs in the final minutes.  They scored to take their second lead of the ball game 28-24 with 2:39 remaining when Long scored on a QB keeper from 7 yards out. The touchdown was set up by an amazing Eric Monroe interception when he darted in front of a Westfield receiver and raced 47 yards almost taking it to the 8.

The most heartbreaking moment for GPNS occurred on the following kick off. Aaron Cuevas’ pooch kick bounced off not one but two Westfield players,  squirmed through the arms of a North Shore player’s arms and finally crossed out of bounds. Spring Westfield scored just 39 seconds and 5 plays later as Dillon Sterling-Cole put it in the endzone on a nifty 12 yard keeper for the final score of 31-28.

by Glenn McCarthy

Players of the Game:  QB Dillon Sterling-Cole(@PassDMC) & DT Ed Oliver (@Edoliver_11)

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