Two unbeaten teams squared off Friday night as Aquinas hosted Westside in a clash of local heavyweights. The Patriots (5-0) defeated the Irish, 20-14, to remain unbeaten. Westside, led by first year head coach Cedric Mason, has now won eight of the last 10 games to continue their recent dominance in the series.
From the opening kick, the Patriots showed they were ready. Westside’s first possession drove inside the Aquinas 10-yard line, but the Irish defense stiffened and forced a missed field goal. The Patriots regrouped, breaking through when sophomore running back Elliot Jackson powered in from short range for a 7–0 lead. Both defenses tightened from there, and the halftime score remained 7–0.
Aquinas opened the second half aggressively, moving across midfield before Westside’s senior defensive back De’Antre Charles intercepted a Turner Stevenson pass. The Patriots capitalized on the turnover with a dazzling 52-yard reverse touchdown run by senior wide receiver Josh Crawford on a gutsy fourth-down call, stretching the lead to 14–0. Momentum stayed with Westside late in the third quarter as quarterback Jayen Stone found Jackson for his second touchdown of the night. The missed extra point made it 20–0, but the Patriots seemed firmly in control.
The Irish had other ideas. Stevenson answered with a quick scoring strike, trimming the deficit to 20–7 heading into the fourth quarter. Stevenson later connected with his favorite target, senior wide receiver Jack Rhodes, for another touchdown. Rhodes, a Virginia commit, notched his 10th score of the season to pull Aquinas within 20–14.
The Irish threatened again after converting a fourth-and-long to keep a late drive alive, but Westside’s defense held strong and sealed the victory.
The night also carried special meaning off the field. Aquinas recognized its Class of 2005, which included Irish head coach James Leonard. Though the Irish fourth quarter rally fell short, Leonard’s team battled until the final whistle against a touch cross-town rival.
Aquinas will try to regroup next Friday in a home matchup against Howard. Westside is off next week before traveling to Howard for a game on Friday, Oct. 3.
