What We Saw: Westside 42, Greenville 35, OT

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ANDERSON </strong>| When Westside played at Greenville in the regular season, Rams' standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston']</strong> was primarily used only on defense. After Boston had a big year offensively in 2022, being limited to defense was the case for much of this season as he wore a heavily padded mitt to protect his injured left hand. In Friday's rematch for the Class 4A Upper State championship, the glove was off - literally and figuratively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After tormenting Greenville as a receiver for four quarters, Boston had one more catch left in him in overtime. This one came on defense though, as his interception ended Westside's 42-35 victory. For the first time since 1987 and third time ever, the Rams (13-1) will play for a state championship next Saturday at South Carolina State. Westside, which lost in the Class 4A Div. II final in 1987 and won the Class 3A crown in 1969, will face South Florence (14-0) at noon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"That whole defensive series in overtime, I was like 'I've got to get a pick.' It manifested in my head," said Boston, who's committed to N.C. State. "I can't believe I have the chance to go play for a state title. We should've done it a long time ago, but I'm glad my career's ending how it is."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Westside defeated Greenville 28-14 in the regular season, an effective running game and three interceptions on defense - including one by Boston - were keys to the win. Turnovers were another big key Friday as Boston's interception was the fifth forced by the Rams. With two healthy stud receivers in Chattanooga commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139314' first='Josh' last='Williams']</strong> and Boston, the offensive strategy was different though. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods']</strong> (pictured above) cut loose from the start Friday, firing two completions to Williams on the first two plays of the game before hitting Boston on a 47-yard touchdown on the third.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163871' first='Mazeo' last='Bennett']</strong> answered on Greenville's ensuing possession as he turned a simple pass across the middle by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='349806' first='Bryson' last='Drummond']</strong> into a 46-yard touchdown and the shootout was on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westside took a 28-21 lead into halftime as Woods completed 13-of-15 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns - two to Boston and two to Williams - in the opening half. He also ran for 23 yards on five carries. Meanwhile, Drummond was 9-of-11 passing for 159 yards and had 27 yards rushing on two carries by halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Having those two (Boston and Williams) out there together makes my job easy," Woods said. "I just throw it downfield and they're so fast, they just go get it. We have such good chemistry as well. ... With our backs and receivers, we can bust a big play out at any time."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville (10-4) got the ball to start the second half and reached the Mann 15 before a lost fumble ended the drive. Of the Red Raiders five turnovers, four came in the red zone. The Rams then had an 87-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by Boston's 48-yard catch and capped by Woods' one-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 35-21 midway through the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Raiders got back in it when Drummond found <strong>Brayden Renfrow</strong> for a leaping 32-yard touchdown early in the fourth. Greenville appeared poised to tie the game on their next drive but on first-and-goal at the four, it lost another fumble. The defense forced a three-and-out and Westside's punt from its own end zone got partially blocked. That set up Greenville at the Rams' 15-yard line. Three plays later Drummond threw a four-yard touchdown to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142728' first='Carmello' last='Canty']</strong> to help tie the score 35-35 with 54 seconds left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams took the ball to start overtime. Unfazed by seeing the two-touchdown lead disappear in the fourth quarter, it took just two runs by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157819' first='Sharode' last='Richardson']</strong> for Westside to get the lead back. The Rams' defense forced a fourth-and-goal from the 11 in Greenville's overtime turn on offense. Boston's interception set off a massive celebration as Westside students stormed the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"[player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] got our guys to settle down. Once he did that, I knew we were going to be alright. Just a great job by all of our guys all around," Westside coach Brian Lane said about staying poised in overtime. "Hats off to our defense, who did what they had to do. They've been challenged all year and it's fitting that we get a defensive stop to get us into the state championship."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boston finished with 160 yards receiving on eight catches, while Williams had seven receptions for 135 yards. Woods threw for 310 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Greenville, Drummond had 288 yards passing and 58 rushing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->