The Warriors moved to 2-0 on the season with a dominate 52-7 victory over Woodridge on Friday night. After a slow start, West Branch proved it was too much for the Bulldogs, pulling away in the second quarter on its way to victory.
Neither team could get its offense going in the early going as both teams first two possessions resulted in three and outs. The Warriors would get its first 1st down on its next possession moving the ball into the red zone but a penalty pushed them back eventually turning the ball over on downs. The defense continued to come up big as on the ensuing Bulldog possession,
Carson Graham stepped in front of a Woodridge pass intercepting it and giving West Branch the ball in Bulldog territory. This was the spark the offense needed, as the route was on moving forward. Following a deep ball down the left sideline to
Joey Jackson,
Boston Mulinix would find pay dirt giving West Branch the lead with 2:45 left to play in the first quarter. After another three and out by the Bulldogs, West Branch quarterback
Jeremiah Thomas found
Anthony Perry on a post route for a 48 yard touchdown giving the Warriors a 12-0 lead to end the first quarter.
The Warriors would pull away in the second quarter scoring 34 points. Copper Anderson scored on a 15 yard reception from Thomas followed by Jackson who scored on a 28 yard catch and run. Thomas would then take matters into his own hands on a quarterback run to the left side, racing down the sideline for a 62 yard score. On the next possession, Thomas would again find Jackson, this time for a 73 yard passing touchdown. Thomas would round out the first half scoring, racing in from one yard out giving West Branch a 46-7 lead heading into the break.
With a running clock in the second half, the Warriors would score one more time.
Gavin Gregory took a pass from
Grady Hirst, breaking tackles and rumbling into the end zone for a 42 yard score extending the Warrior lead to 52-7. The scoring play from Hirst was his first varsity touchdown pass.
Jackson's big game resulted in two school records being broken. Jackson is now the career receptions leader with 151 and also the career receiving yards leader with 2,305. Both records were previously held by Nick Wilson. On the day Jackson finished with 6 receptions for 187 yards and the two scores. Perry hauled in three balls for 56 yards ad a score while Gregory and Anderson each had touchdowns.
Thomas would finish the day going 12-20 through the air for 274 yards and four scores while also rushing for 66 yards on six carries and two touchdowns. Hirst would end the day completing four passes on five attempts for 55 yards with one interception and one touchdown.
On the ground Mulinix led the way gaining 83 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown.
Damon Edwards carried the ball five times for 41 times.
Defensively, the Warriors held the Bulldogs to just 61 yards on the ground and 153 total while forcing two turnovers. In addition to Graham's interception,
Zach Coffee recovered a fumble for the Warriors. Leading Tacklers were
Jack Flickinger with 9, Coffee with 7, and
Garin Harlan with 6.
Cohen Campbell added a sack for the winners.
Next up for West Branch will be a road contest against Girard. The Indians come into week three with a 2-0 mark which includes victories over Jefferson and Liberty. Game time is set for 7 PM at Girard's Arrowhead Stadium.
