By Max Clifford
Hometown Weekly Reporter
A second-half stalemate in Bellingham on Thursday night initially hinted at an impending overtime battle. However, a fortuitous missed extra point on the potential game-tying touchdown resulted in the Westwood High School football team securing a razor-thin 17-16 victory.
In the opening quarter, the visiting Wolverines asserted dominance in time of possession. Following an initial drive that ended in a punt, they quickly regained possession courtesy of a Bellingham fumble during their first offensive snap. Westwood capitalized on this turnover by adding a short-range field goal, establishing a 3-0 lead.
As the second quarter loomed, Westwood had an opportunity to expand their lead, maintaining a run-heavy offense that propelled them to the one-yard line by the end of the first quarter. A single play in the second quarter saw Dante Martucci crossing the end zone for the game's first touchdown, extending Westwood's lead to 10-0.
However, the second quarter saw a resurgence from the Bellingham rushing attack, led by dynamic dual-threat quarterback Dasha Domercant. This offensive prowess resulted in a Corey Perkins touchdown, reducing Westwood's lead to 10-7.
Although Westwood held onto their lead until halftime, Bellingham's offense came alive in the third quarter. Their opening drive featured significant ground gains but concluded with a game-tying field goal in the red zone.
A Westwood fumble placed Bellingham in a scoring position, but Joseph Vinci's defensive line performance forced another field goal attempt. This time, with Westwood's Elliot Harris contesting the kick, Bellingham's attempt fell short of the uprights, preserving the tie at 10 apiece.
With less than 10 minutes remaining in the game, Westwood quarterback Devin Hunt aimed to break the tie with a pass to the end zone. A contested catch by Jack Crowley secured the go-ahead touchdown for the Wolverines.
Despite Bellingham's game-tying touchdown late in the game, the missed extra point attempt, which hit the upright, sent Westwood supporters into jubilation and left the Hawks' fans in disbelief.
Westwood head coach Brad Pindel acknowledged the win's imperfections but praised his players for making crucial adjustments late in the game. He highlighted the leadership of the team's seniors, noting their mental resilience as a key factor in securing the victory.
With a 1-1 record for the season, the Wolverines will return home to face Quincy High School at 7 PM on Friday, September 22.
