What We Saw: Westwood 7, Blythewood 0

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BLYTHEWOOD |</strong> With the axe-shaped Jeanne Schmidt Memorial Trophy on the line Friday, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1418100' first='John' last='Henry Collins']</strong> looked to keep Blythewood's hopes alive of keeping it and staying unbeaten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westwood defensive back <strong>Justin Washington</strong> had other ideas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Collins fired a potential touchdown pass towards the endzone, Washington leaped in front of intended target <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473013' first='Carter' last='Coleman']</strong> for the game-clinching interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westwood ran out the remaining 1:20 for the 7-0 victory in the Battle of the Axe. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I saw his eyes,” said Washington about the interception. “I looked right at him. I saw him try to get behind me. I saw it and he threw it right in my hands.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final drive served as a summary of the game. Blythewood had success moving into Westwood territory with Collins, who showed elusiveness for his 6-foot-4, 182-pound size and connecting with his wide receivers either in stride or on the run. He finished with 249 passing yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman was his primary target as the Ridge View transfer's speed after catching the football made him a scoring threat throughout the game. If not for penalties, he would have had touchdowns on an 82-yard kickoff return and 21-yard pass from Collins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kayne Reed</strong> was another favorite target of Collins, especially on the final drive. He was successful in getting open against the Redhawks' coverage along with <strong>Ben Hendrix</strong>. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1262771' first='Desmond' last='Macklin']</strong> also played a valuable role in the Bengals' offense. He picked up tough yards to convert first downs and used on screen passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet each time the Bengals found themselves in a scoring opportunity, Westwood refused to bend. Defensive lineman <strong>DJ Jones</strong> led an inspired effort upfront with two sacks which forced Blythewood into long third and fourth downs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive linemen <strong>Jamar Gallman</strong>, <strong>Eric Williams </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267288' first='Elijah' last='Williams']</strong> and linebacker <strong>Elon Robinson</strong> were also instrumental in pressuring Collins. When the Bengals moved into scoring position, the secondary with defensive backs Washington, <strong>Dominick Armstrong</strong>, <strong>Devante Armstrong</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720069' first='Zion' last='Oliver']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='790770' first='Christian' last='Smith']</strong> maintained coverage to help shut out an offense which averaged 31 points a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westwood also had its share of difficulties against Blythewood's defense. Senior defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157753' first='Kemuel' last='Little']</strong> had two sacks and tackles for loss to lead the Bengals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second half opened with the Redhawks completing an 8-play, 80-yard scoring drive in which Blythewood was hit with two personal foul penalties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After back-to-back runs by sophomore work horse<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios']</strong>, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734561' first='Carrington' last='Carter']</strong> (pictured right) found sophomore tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1700055' first='Uriah' last='Lofton']</strong> near the back of the endzone for a 9-yard touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“That's always in our playbook,” Carter said. “I just trust my guys. I pulled it. The linebackers came and that's what we were waiting for and I just trusted my guys. Uriah's a young dude, but he's a dog.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The whole thing was just coming out and putting a good drive together,” head coach Robert O'Connell said. “And we felt like in the second half, if we went down and scored, we'd win the game.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Connell proved prophetic as Blythewood's second half drives ended with two punts, a turnover on downs and the late game interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->