By Deunte Marshall/Sports Correspondent
Westbrook Christian fell against the triple option running game of Locust Fork, 33-20, (2-0, 0-0) in the Warriors’ season opener on Friday in Rainbow City.
“We came out and worked our game plan” said Westbrook head coach Tony Osborne, “but [Locust Fork] just executed more than we did.”
The game started off in Westbrook’s favor early on, as the Warriors (0-1, 0-0) performed an onside kick and recovered it on the first play of the game.
With that momentum, the Warriors took nine plays to score on a five-yard toss from quarterback Will Appleton to Chandler Richards with 7:33 remaining in the first quarter.
Later in the quarter, Dalvin Lewis’ sack and Richards’ fumble recovery led to Appleton’s touchdown pass to Gilbert Rosas. That would be the last lead the Warriors would enjoy for the night, however.
The Yellow Jackets showed life when Micah Stephens galloped 65 yards to paydirt. A missed P.A.T left the score 14-6 Westbrook.
Just like its previous scoring drive, Locust Fork needed only one play to score. Quarterback Todd Goodwin tossed a scoring strike to Chase Biles on a 62-yard pitch-and-catch score, and a two-point conversion tied the game up at 14-14. Westbrook tried to answer back, but two straight sacks put the ensuing Warriors drive to a screeching halt.
Locust Fork’s final three scoring drives resulted in at least nine plays and drained seven minutes off of the game clock.
The first Jacket score came with 45 seconds to go in the half, when Stephens scampered in from three yards out.
The next touchdown was the result of a 10-play drive that ended with a trick play for the score, and the final score came on Micah Stephens’ 17-yard run.
The Warriors weren’t going away without a fight, however, as Appleton and Tyler Pankey connected on a 79-yard touchdown strike to close the gap to 33-20.
Following a defensive stand, Westbrook was mounting another drive only to have it stopped by an interception by Isaiah Kirkley.
Appleton was 15-of-29 in passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Pankey led in receiving with 79 yards and a score.
The Warriors head to Ohatchee next week to open up region play.
