Sporting WCA

Football Topples Priory, advances to District Final

The Westminster Varsity football team advanced to the District Final on saturday, beating the Priory Rebels 49-10.

On the opening offensive drive, senior Evan Johnson threw a 58 yard touchdown pass to junior Steve Webb to make it 7-0 Cats. The Wildcat defense forced a punt on the Rebel’s response drive. With good field position, the Cats marched up the field and junior Dylan Conway ran the ball in from 7 yards out to make it 14-0. The Cats squandered good field position on their final drive of the quarter and were forced to punt.

On the first drive of the 2nd quarter, the Rebels converted on a key 4th and inches to keep their offense alive and enter the Wildcat red zone. The Cat’s defense came up big, with Webb making a key tackle to force the Rebels to a field goal. On the Cat’s next drive, the Rebels went offside on a crucial 4th and 1 to keep the drive going. On the next play, Webb ran the ball 39 yards to set up 1st and goal. Webb got the ball the next play, and ran it in from 6 yards out to bring the score to 21-3. Priory’s next drive saw them quickly drive up the field to Westminster’s one yard line. Just when it looked like they would score, the Cat’s defense forced a fumble on the goal line and regained possession with under 2 minutes in the half. The Wildcats wasted this opportunity, but the defense came up big and forced a Rebel 4th and long. On the punt, a defensive foul gave back Priory possession and a first down. The Rebels squandered this second chance, and the half ended with WCA up 21-3.

The Cats received the kickoff to start the 2nd half, and got right back to scoring. Senior wide receiver Casey Hinds met a 60 yard Johnson pass to make it 28-3 with 9:33 remaining in the 3rd. The Rebels gradually moved the ball on their next offensive drive, scoring at the 4:29 mark of the quarter to make it 28-9. On the Cats next drive, Conway received the ball and sprinted down the field for a 56 yard touchdown, making it 35-10. A key interception by senior Zach Hughes on the Rebels next drive gave the Cats fantastic field position with under 2 minutes in the quarter. The quarter ended with the Cats having the ball just inside the Priory red zone.

At the 10:52 mark of the 4th, senior Cameron Tucker ran in a 2 yard handoff to make the score 42-10. An interception by senior Nick Ebel (who had a cast on one arm) on the Rebels next drive. On the ensuing offensive drive, Tucker had a debating 85 yard run to make it 49-10 with 5:48 remaining. The Wildcat defense shut the game down following the touchdown, and this would be the final score.

The Wildcats play the St. Francis Borgia Knights in the district championship at WCA next Saturday at 1 pm. Be there.