H.S. Football: Battle-tested Westwood hosts 1-1 Bears for homecoming

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September 12, 2012

H.S. Football: Battle-tested Westwood hosts 1-1 Bears for homecoming

By JUSTIN RAINS Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Wed Sep 12, 2012, 08:19 PM CDT

The Westwood football team came away from Friday night’s game in Huntington with its first victory of 2012.

But, the win may have come at a price.

In the team’s 20-18 win over the Red Devils, the Panthers played most of the second half without star running back Keke Hicks, and running back Aaryon Robinson — who had a huge night, rushing for 187 yards — played a large portion of the fourth quarter injured.

“Keke is bouncing back real well, because his was from an injury in the first week and he came back and played on it and tweaked it,” WHS coach Roger Mays said. “Those usually aren’t near as serious as the initial injury. Aaryon has been banged up both games, and we kind of put a lot on him being our workhorse.

“He’s got an ankle issue and a thigh bruise, but I think on Friday night’s he’s going to turn it on and he’ll play hard for us.”

Despite the injuries, however, both are expected to play for the Panthers.

Mays credited the play of the Panther defense for helping Westwood secure the win Friday. When Huntington scored its final touchdown to cut the Panther lead to 20-18, it was the defense who made the crucial stop to prevent the Red Devils from tying things up.

“It was the exact opposite from the first week, when we felt like in key situations our defense got exploited,” he said. “Last week, we came up on all the big stops. That two-point conversion was huge, it ended up being the game-winner.”

Westwood was also able to force Huntington into multiple turnovers, something that hadn’t been happening in many Westwood games the past few seasons.

The Panthers had four interceptions of Huntington quarterback Brent Loggins, with two of those coming from varsity rookie Darian Walker.

“We’re finally getting balls to start bouncing our way,” Mays said. “We had four interceptions, we recovered a fumble or two. We had two interceptions from Darian Walker, playing his first varsity football team ever. Our defense came up big the other night.”

That defense will be tested once again Friday, when the Panthers welcome in Brownsboro (1-1) to Panther Field for homecoming. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Bears — 1-9 a season ago — are coming off of a 56-26 loss to Addison Trinity Christian this past Friday.

But, the Bears are a much improved team from a year ago, Mays said, and their play on the field so far this season proves that.

“I know they had a good offseason...I think they’ve just developed a sense of urgency with those kids, and they’ve risen to the challenge,” Mays said.

Offensively, Mays said that the Bears want to spread the ball across the field and get it in the hands of their playmakers with space to work.

They possess plenty of skill guys, he said, and they’ll make plays if the Westwood defense lets them.

“They’ve got speed all over the field, and they spread the ball out and they get those athletes out on the perimeter and distribute the ball well,” he said. “So, they’re scary. Our defense is really going to have to play fundamental football and I think our secondary is really going to have to step up.”

That secondary will need more high-level performances from players like Walker, because starting defensive back DaQuinton Anderson is not expected to be back from the injury that kept him off the field against Huntington.

Mays called the Brownsboro defense “hard-nosed.”

But, moving the ball this year hasn’t been a problem for the Panthers, who are averaging 312 yards of total offense per game this season.

A large part of that success can be attributed to a strong running game, but some of it Mays placed on the head of new quarterback Chris Thompson.

Thompson, who didn’t play football last year and was a receiver when he last did play, has grown into the role of team leader each and every day, according to Mays.

That includes leading his team to victory Friday.

“He really went through some trials last week and really thought all the pressure was on his shoulders, especially once Keke went out,” Mays said. “He fumbled the ball a few times and that weighed heavy on him, I think he thought he was letting his teammates down.

“So, I had a little talk with him and some other coaches did, and the way he bounced back and carried himself with confidence and led the team to that victory, I can’t say how proud I am of Chris.”

———

Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com

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H.S. Football: Battle-tested Westwood hosts 1-1 Bears for homecoming

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