Westminster dominated unbeaten Holy Spirit Prep 41-20 at home on Friday, Sept. 16.
Westminster doesn’t play the normal 11-man football; instead, the high school plays in a unique 8-man football division.
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Eight-man football is unique to 11-man, requiring a minimum of five players on the line of scrimmage with players on each end that are pass eligible. Depending on the formation, usually the difference from 11-man football on offense is that there is two less linemen and one less offensive skilled position player. On defense, there is usually one less defensive back, linebacker and defensive lineman depending on the formation.
Westminster switched from 11-man to 8-man football in 2018 due to safety and the number of players according to current head coach Glenn Bell.
“We reached a point where we didn’t have enough numbers to practice and compete at a 11-man level and the time it was a tough choice,” said Bell. “It was really a safety thing, and it has been really good for us. We have smaller numbers, but we have been able to put a competitive group on the field and have had some success with it.”
Andrew Bryan, former Westminster coach and 11-year Athletic Director, led the Wildcats to a 9-1 season and to win the first ever Georgia Independent School Association 8-man Football State Championship in 2019. Bell has been with the Westminster football program for 12 years as a coordinator and other coaching assignments.
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The Wildcats began the game with two early rushing touchdowns to get ahead 14-0 in the first quarter.
Holy Spirit battled back to make the game within one score with a 23-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter.
Westminster extended its lead with a 55-yard pass from quarterback Levi Murphey to wide receiver Levi Ketterman for a touchdown, making the score 21-7.
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Ketterman also scored on an 85-yard kickoff touchdown return late in the fourth quarter.
Holy Spirit scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter with 80-yard pass from quarterback Ben Cumble to wide receiver Josh Gunderson, but it was too late as Westminster won the game 41-20.
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Along with Ketterman, running back Josh Garner led the Wildcats to victory scoring three rushing touchdowns and rushing for 91 yards.
Westminster (2-2) will face Young Americans Christians (2-1) on the road next Friday, Sept. 23.
Chris Rickerson is a staff reporter covering Columbia County government and general assignment topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at chris@theaugustapress.com.
