By Adam Crocker/Sports Correspondent
Westbrook Christian enjoyed a successful homecoming for its seniors, defeating Ashville, 41-27, in Class 3A, Region 6 action last Friday (Oct. 23) in Rainbow City.
“It was a good effort,” said Westbrook head coach Tony Osborne. “[The Westbrook defense] got a few plays back. We gave [Ashville] a few plays, but we made some good plays, too.”
The Warriors (3-6, 3-4) held a 14-6 lead until 10:34 remained in the second quarter. Ashville (2-7, 1-6) took over after a failed a fake punt fourth down conversion. The visitors put up a six-play, 50-yard drive that was capped off by a 55-yard scoring pass from Judson Mundy to Kenneth Brady. The two-point conversion attempt was no good, making it 14-12 in favor of the hosts.
On Westbrook’s first possession, quarterback Joseph Schauer connected with Andrew Schauer and Gilbert Rosas for 43 yards. The Bulldogs defense stopped the Warriors on the first three downs, forcing the home team to get the score on fourth and goal. Schauer punched it in for the score that capped the eight-play, 57-yard drive. Will Dickson’s PAT was good, making it 7-0 with 5:40 remaining in the first quarter.
The visitors quickly answered back with a 38-yard dash by Hunter Huckbay setting Ashville up on the Warrior 27. Mundy’s one-yard TD run from Mundy made it 7-6 with 3:27 left in the first.
The teams traded blows until the 6:47 mark of the second quarter, when Justis Glassford returned an interception for a touchdown. Dickson’s PAT made it 21-12 in favor of the hosts.
On the next possession Glassford picked off another Ashville pass and returned it to the Bulldog 36 yard line, setting up another score for the hosts. Joseph Schauer connected with Rosas for a 28-12 lead with 4:44 remaining in the first half.
The guests then went three-and-out, forcing them to punt it away at the 2:55 mark. Westbrook put up a 10-play, 21-yard drive that resulted in a 36-yard field goal from Dickson. That made it 31-12 with just under a minute remaining in the half.
The Warriors started the second half on Ashville’s 45. Three plays later, Joseph Schauer connected with Chandler Richards for a 45-yard touchdown pass. Dickson’s extra point was good, making it 38-12.
The Bulldog’s added another touchdown with 6:35 remaining in the third quarter to pull, within 38-20, but Dickson knocked through a 31-yard field goal with 34 seconds remaining in the third, making it 41-27.
Joseph Schauer completed 9-of-20 for 159 yards and rushed 16 times for 111 yards.
“These guys have given a good effort for the most part all year, and tonight was another good effort,” said Osborne. “It also was good a win for our seniors, and we want to finish the season strong for them.”
Westbrook finishes out the season this Friday (Oct. 30) at home against Ranburne.
