ANDERSON – Westwood began their season on a high-note with an impressive offensive showing in a tight win in Chester, but they were not lucky this week after traveling to Anderson to take on Westside High. The Rams ran up a 21-0 nothing lead early, leaving the Redhawks with an uphill climb that was too much, leaving Westwood handily defeated 33-13, to go to 1-1 on the season.
Westwood opted to go on offense first, but the Westside defense had no part of it and easily contained the Redhawks offense to a three-and-out punt. The Rams got control of the ball on their own 22, but shortly found themselves within the Redhawk 20-yard line, knocking on the door of their first score.
Despite their defensive struggles most of the night, the Redhawks made a defensive stand once the Rams were inside their 10-yard line. The Redhawks stuffed three consecutive attempts at the end-zone, but on fourth-and-one from the Westwood one-yard line, Westside’s Paul Johnson powered his way to the promise land.
The three-and-out bug bit the Redhawks again on their following possession. Less than a minute after taking over on their own 20-yard line, they were forced to launch another punt to potent Rams. Westside got the ball at midfield after the punt, and Hunter Marchbanks immediately opened the drive up with a 15-yard rush. Again Westwood forced another short fourth-down attempt, and again it was Johnson earning the first down for the Rams.
Westwood forced the Rams back up against the wall yet again on the drive. A long reception to Kobe Middleton kept Westside’s head above water on third-and-long, opening the door for Johnson to take the ball into the house for the second time in game, this time from 22 yards out.
The next Westwood possession was almost a mirror image of their first unsuccessful possession. They took over on their own 20-yard line, and after a couple incomplete passes, including a failed third-and-long attempt, had to punt the ball back to Westside.
Time was nearly expired on the half when the Rams converted their third fourth-down attempt deep inside of Westwood territory. Johnson broke the plane from two yards out to give Westside a 21-0 lead with 30 seconds left on the clock before the end of the half.
Westside opened the second half with possession at their own 25. For just the second time all game, the Redhawks made a defensive stand on third down, but a Westwood penalty on fourth down gave the Rams the first down.
The penalty did not come back to bite Westwood because Westwood forced a Rams’ turnover downs later in the drive. This time the Redhawk offense made some waves when they got the ball back at their own 23-yard line.
Jaylon Riley capped the scoring drive off with a six-yard rushing touchdown after Westwood took the ball 77 yards in a little under two minutes. On the next Redhawk drive, Elijah Heatley connected with Cortes Braham for a 19-yard score to bring the Redhawks within eight points of the lead.
Westwood, now down 21-13, got possession in the fourth quarter at their own one-yard line with a chance to tie, but the Redhawks coughed the ball up and the Rams recovered it at the Westwood nine.
That was the Redhawks second turnover while they were down just one score. This time the Rams converted the fumble into six when Johnson charged into the end-zone from seven yards back for his fourth touchdown of the night.
Johnson broke the Redhawks’ heart again when his fifth touchdown of the night, with just over six minutes remaining in the game, closed the door on any hopes of the Westwood come back. Westwood will be on the road for the third week in a row on Saturday, when they head down to Florence to take on South Florence.
The Redhawks will host their first home game on Sept. 8 when Blythewood makes the short drive across town.
Scoring
WHS-0-0-13-0-13
Westside(WS)- 7-14-0-12-33
First Quarter
WS-Paul Johnson 1 run (Chance Poore kick). 3:13.
Second Quarter
WS- Paul Johnson 20 run (C.Poore kick). 9:37.
WS- Paul Johnson 1 run (C.Poore kick). :30.
Third Quarter
WHS- Jaylon Riley 6 run (David Strother III kick blocked). 4:32
WHS- Cortes Braham 19 pass fro Elijah Heatley (D.Strother III kick). 2:38
Fourth Quarter
WS- Paul Johnson 7 run ( C.Poore kick blocked). 10:20.
WS- Paul Johnson 2 run (C.Poore kick blocked). 6:16.
TEAM STATS
WHS WS
First Downs 13 20
Rushes-Yards 15-27 45-246
Passing Yards 203 112
C-A-I-TD 18-29-1-1 9-6-0-0
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-2
Penalties-Yards 6-56 10-95
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing: WHS- Jaylon Riley 11-36, Elijah Heatley 1- (-4), Rest of team 2-(-5). Westside- Paul Johnson 26-158, Hunter Marchbanks 10-39, Traye Carson 4-21, Jordan Blue 2-15, Junior Smith 3-13.
Receiving: WHS- Trini Feggett 4-38, Cortes Braham 5-58, Montre Miller 5-43, Jaylon Riley 3-31,Christian Horn 3-54, Joshua Heyward 1-10. CHS- Janori Kendrick 3-42, Kobe Middleton 3-41, Traye Carson 2-22, Jaylen Ware 1-7.
Passing: WHS- Elijah Heatley 18-29, 203 yards, one touchdown, one interception. Westside- Hunter Marchbanks 9-14, 112 yards. Traye Carson 0-2.
