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Westfield nets another signature win defeating Spring 31-21
SPRING – This year's Westfield team is different.
Those are Anthony Holmes Jr.'s words. The senior defensive lineman has been a pivotal piece of a defensive unit that has helped defeat the likes of North Shore and now Spring, 31-21, to take command in District 14-6A.
"We're not the same Westfield with all the undiscipline," Holmes said. "Then from the North Shore game how we stuck together carried over to this one. We knew it was going to be a big game, so we had to stick together, stay positive and keep playing."
| @WestfieldHSFB DL @AnthonyJr10_ had a HUGE game. Multiple sacks for the Virginia commit. He wears No. 10 at Westfield for a reason. #txhsfb
(@RodneyJSmith4 @KPRC2RandyMc @jadrien_collard @BjEashmond @KailonG85 @staywokee2 @chuukyhines6 @texashsfootball @Edoliver_11) pic.twitter.com/bre3bV9Cgo
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) October 2, 2021
Westfield headed into this week having three signature wins on its resume for the season – Strake Jesuit (37-10), FB Hightower (38-12) and North Shore (27-21) – and with a win over cross-town rival Spring, which entered this week as the No. 2 team in VYPE's Class 6A rankings, it adds another one.
"The focus has been there all year but when you play teams like Spring and it is a cross-town rivalry, everybody locks in a little bit more," Westfield coach Matt Meekins said. "Strake Jesuit, Hightower and North Shore are good football teams. I think those games prepared us for tonight."
It was Westfield's defense that shined early, highlighted by Da'Marion Stamps 66-yard pick six to open the scoring. Then after giving up a 33-yard score from Bishop Davenport to Bralen Martin, it was the offense's turn.
Cardell Williams and Da'John Palomo were on the same wavelength connecting on 43-, 32 and 44 yard touchdowns in a span of just 6 minutes and one second. The 21-point swing game Westfield a commanding 28-7 halftime lead.
"We talked about it in the locker room about how we trust each other and trust the game plan," Palomo, who finished with 161 yards and three scores on just six catches, said. "I've been feeling comfortable with [Cardell] for quite some time. We played 7-on-7 to get our chemistry and timing right. So, it's pretty good."
WOW!! TOUCHDOWN @WestfieldHSFB!! @staywokee2 let's this one fly for 43 yards as he drops it into the arms of @DajohnPalomo for the score!! What a pitch and catch!! #txhsfb
1st - 2:10 @WestfieldHSFB - 14
Spring - 7
(@RodneyJSmith4 @AnthonyJr10_ @SpringISD @KPRC2RandyMc) pic.twitter.com/bNMPXJdeV5
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) October 2, 2021
Williams finished the game 12 of 23 for 214 yards and three scores.
Despite being down 21 points at the half, Spring - which entered the game undefeated - was not about to just lay down.
The Lions defense roared back, holding Westfield to just three second-half points, allowing Davenport and the offense to get it going. A pair of touchdowns, one to Bralen Martin and the other to Joshua Lopez pulled the Lions within a score with 9:05 to go.
But it wasn't enough.
Davenport finished the game 21 of 38 for 308 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
"I'm extremely proud of how we came back at them in the second half and made it a ball game," Spring coach Trent Miller said. "I think we learned a lot about ourselves on both sides of the football. We learned that people aren't just going to lay down for us. I think we were feeling ourselves a little too much coming into this game and it bit us in the first half. But I could not be more proud of how they responded in the second half."
VYPE Friday Night Lights Scoreboard (9.10.21): Bridgeland, Clear Falls, Cinco Ranch, Westfield continue HOT starts
HOUSTON - There were a plethora of huge games across the Greater Houston Area on Friday night.
Bridgeland, led by Texas A&M-commit Conner Weigman survived a late surge by The Woodlands to maintain their undefeated start to the season, winning 39-35.
WEIGMAN LEAD BEARS AT THE 🏦 @BridgelandFB 39@twhfootball 35
Final
4th and 7… Weigman throws a TD#txhsfb @ConnerWeigman @AggieFootball @CFISDAthletics pic.twitter.com/fJDb2KIZQs
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) September 11, 2021
Cinco Ranch extended its best start since 2015 with another win, while New Caney improved to 12-0 all-time against Porter with a dominating 41-14 victory in the annual Battle Line on 59 game. Pasadena Dobie continued its dominant start, winning 63-6 over Friendswood and now having outscored opponents 188-6 in their 3-0 start, which is riduculous.
Westfield got arguably the biggest win of the night defeating North Shore 27-21. The two Houston perennial playoff powers collided in what ended up being an instant classic.
Strake Jesuit's Bryce Fucik went OFF on Friday with an eight-touchdown performance, while Paetow's Jacob Brown rushed for over 270 yards in the Panthers' win to remain undefeated. In the private school world, Kinkaid remained undefeated with a 48-41 victory over St. Thomas, handing the Eagles' their first loss of the year, while St. Pius X defeated Bishop Lynch with a late touchdown and John Cooper School registered their first win of the season.
.@PaetowFootball senior Jacob Brown talks about tonight's 30-14 district-opening win over Foster. Brown had more than 270 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the win. #txhsfb @PaetowHS @PaetowHS_ABC @PaetowAthletics pic.twitter.com/xx78woUC2x
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) September 11, 2021
More scores and social media reaction below in a busy Friday night.
The Social - SPX Celebrates Big Win over Bishop Lynch
Dancing into the weekend with a Panther Football Victory 🐾🧡 Uber grateful to work for the best student body in Houston! pic.twitter.com/ou8Mtz76nQ
— Rachel Ware (@RachelW29230021) September 11, 2021
The Social - John Cooper School gets Win No. 1 of the Season
Hey DJ! Play our favorite victory song! pic.twitter.com/6fPVcXzB8J
— Cooper Athletics (@JCS_Athletics) September 11, 2021