Westside running back Xzavier Green rushed for three touchdowns and led Westside High School to a 28 – 6 victory over Laney High School on Friday, Oct. 15, at Carl Thompson Field.
The Wildcats started out with the ball first but would be forced to a three-and-out on the drive. Laney’s Willie Booker punted the ball away, but the punt was muffed by Westside and the Laney recovered the ball at Westside’s 31-yard line.
Laney quarterback Keshaun Sanders completed a 25-yard touchdown to wide receiver Xavier Davis with 9:35 remaining in the first quarter. The Wildcats failed the two-point conversion, making the score 6-0.
The Patriots offense bounced right back their next drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Green. Sean Medcalfe added the extra point, putting the Patriots ahead 7-6 with 4:02 remaining in the first quarter.
Westside would continue try to control the game on the ground and the defense held Laney scoreless for the remainder of the half.
With no time remaining in the second quarter, Medcalfe would attempt a 23-yard field goal, but missed and Westside led by one, 7-6 after the first half.
On the first drive of the second half, the Patriots continued to pound the ball on the ground, knocking off over seven minutes on the clock before another 1-yard rushing touchdown by Green. Medcalfe made the extra point to make the score 14-6 in favor of Westside.
The Patriots controlled the ball for over 10 minutes in the third quarter and went in to the fourth ahead by eight.
Green added his third touchdown of the evening on a 6-yard rush, putting Westside ahead 21-6 with 6:41 remaining in the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Laney’s Sanders completed a 54-yard pass to wide receiver Jaccarri Gamble that put the team in scoring position.
The Wildcats’ very next play would end in an interception by Westside linebacker Jeff Hayes, giving Laney no chance to come back with 5:44 remaining in the fourth.
Quarterback T.J. Price sealed the deal for the Patriots on 1-yard rushing touchdown, finishing the game off with a final score of 28-6.
Westside controlled the game with 66 plays on offense compared to Laney’s 34. The Patriots finished with 324-yards rushing on the game with 26 first downs compared to the Wildcats’ 12. Westside only threw the ball for 22 yards and held the Laney offense to 167 yards total.
Westside’s (6-2) next game will be at home against Jefferson County (5-2) on Friday, Oct. 29. Laney (5-3) will also be at home on October 29th against Oglethorpe County (1-5).
Chris Rickerson is a Sports Contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at CRICKERSON@augusta.edu.
