Westminster Christian tops Mooseheart
So far in the early existence of its program Westminster Christian has been trying to compete almost solely with an advanced passing attack. The result has been only two wins, which both came last year.
On Saturday, however, the Warriors took a big step in becoming a more complete team. Not only did they win 13-12 at Mooseheart, but they did so with a running game and defense.
Westminster sophomore Xavier Brown rushed for a 102 yards on 17 carries, including a 31-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the go-ahead score.
After giving up over 500 yards in their opening week loss, the Westminster defense held the Red Ramblers to just 258 yards of total offense.
"We know that with our passing game we have a varsity level offense," Westminster coach John Davis said. "Tonight we showed we have a varsity defense, too. And the way we were able to run the ball tonight was very encouraging."
The Warriors (1-1) fell behind 12-6 early in the fourth quarter when Red Ramblers quarterback Tarry Johnson scrambled into the end zone from 6 yards out. Mooseheart then had a 2-point conversion on a pass called back because of an illegal player downfield. The Red Ramblers failed on their next pass attempt for a 2-point conversion and that proved critical.
The Warriors answered right back. Quarterback Max Tucker, who had been held in check most of the game, started a 61-yard drive with a 10-yard pass to Brown, then followed with a 20-yard pass to Connor Albrecht to the Mooseheart 31. On the very next play Brown sprung off left tackle with the help of a great block from the 155-pound Albrecht and sprinted into the end zone to tie the game at 12-12 with 9:53 left to play. Adam Greene added the crucial extra point kick to give the Warriors the lead.
"We had our backs against the wall and we needed a score," Brown said. "In that moment you have to dig deep and make the play. Connor made a beautiful block to get me free."
On its final possession Mooseheart (0-2) marched down to the Westminster 12, but the Warriors held their ground and dropped the Red Ramblers for losses on the next two plays pushing them back to the 28. On the next play Westminster took over on downs and ran out the clock from there.
"We have been down so many times in the fourth quarter usually by 15 or 20 something points that being down 6 didn't seem like nothing," Davis said. "We finally were able to start moving the ball. Xavier had a great game and the line did a great job of getting out on the linebackers faster."
Following a Tucker interception on the opening possession of the game, Mooseheart's Joe Feemorlo scored on a 24-yard touchdown run. He had a 42 yard run on his next carry. However, the Warriors only gave up 63 yards on the ground the rest of the way.
"Coach (Terry) Schabert made some great adjustments with the defense," Lawlor said. "Our middle linebackers Isaac Hawn and Trevor Sudis did a great job of blitzing the A-gaps."
Tucker completed 15-of-25 passes for 132 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Scotty Graziano in the second quarter that tied the score at 6-6.