WS Chronicle

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

Last Thursday’s JV clash between West Forsyth and High Point Central had the makings of a close battle of competitive teams early on.

The Bison scored a touchdown following an early turnover by the Titans and were driving for another score when they were intercepted by James Gordon, who returned it for a touchdown and tied the game 8-8 after the conversion. West never looked back after that point and rode running back Kendall Williams to a 31-16 victory.

High Point Central looked to take control early in the first quarter by converting a muffed punt into a touchdown. They then forced the Titans into a quick three and out and were moving the ball down the field before all their momentum was stopped by the interception by Gordon.

Feeding off of the big defensive play, West settled down on defense, giving their offense time to get into gear. From that point forward, the Titans began to put the ball in the hands of their dynamic running back Kendall Williams, who scored three touchdowns Thursday evening.  He credits his offensive linemen Mike White Jr. and Isaiah Brooks for his big running lanes and opening holes for him to run through.

“As soon as I broke out I just turned it up and went up the field and tried to score and I got three touchdowns,” said Williams.  “I’m most proud of the way the line was blocking and the team coming out with the win tonight.  I want to improve on my vision and getting more first downs and not letting teams come back on us. We have to keep pushing ‘til the end.”

Williams scored his first touchdown of the night with a spectacular run from 18 yards out which gave West the lead 16-8.  High Point Central was able to move the ball, but the turnovers and costly penalties at inopportune times were their demise in the first half.  Williams was able to score again following a great punt return to the five yard line by Darius Hill.

The score at halftime was 24-6 with West Forsyth leading and having full control of the game.  West received the ball first in the second half and continued to run the ball effectively.  They were driving but fumbled and High Point Central recovered on their 45 yard line. Before the Bison could take advantage of the turnover, quarterback Christian Goodwine threw another interception and Titan defensive back Morgan Young returned it to the 42 yard line.

West stuck to their bread and butter and kept the ball on the ground first with a 20-yard run from Shane Jarvis and a 25-yard touchdown run from Williams, his third and final touchdown of the evening.  Titan head coach Jared Eure was impressed with Williams’ performance Thursday.

“Kendall is our punt returner, starting corner, our starting tailback, and he wants the ball all the time.  As long as he is healthy and he’s not tired, we are going to feed him,”Eure said.

The Bison were able to creep a little closer late in the fourth quarter when Goodwine hooked up on a slant pass to wide receiver Jemehyll Booker who ran it in from 22 yards out, making the score 31-16 with 5:07 left in the game.  They then forced West to punt and on their next possession Goodwine found Booker again on a long pass to the 12 yard line.  The Bison were unable to score any points as the Titans bent but didn’t break and defense held strong on fourth down. West took over and was able to run out the clock for the victory.

High Point Central head coach Sean Scott says turnovers and mental mistakes were their downfall during the game, but knows they can be fixed.

“After the first drive we shot ourselves in the foot and our offense kind of fell apart and we had to refocus and get back to it,” Scott said.  “We came in and wanted to attack the flats because we saw there was an opening, and we wanted to play off the ends in the second half, which we were able to do.”

High Point Central is winless thus far this season, but will take on their cross town rival Andrews next week. Coach Scott says his team will be focused all week and they will be “coming to fight.”

West Forsyth will take on Parkland next week in a rematch from earlier this season.