The Bombers tackled the Panthers in the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Westfield and Cathedral high schools in 2012. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – What a year for the Westfield High School football team! And it’s still not over yet…
While weather failed to wreak havoc with the slate for the first time in recent memory, Westfield rushed through several Hurricanes to start the season and never looked back.
Westfield stormed out of the gates in 2013, clobbering the Amherst Hurricanes 60-14.
“We rang their dinner bell,” said Westfield senior lineman Nate LaValley.
In the second game of the season, Westfield put together a startling 49-7 lead en route to a 49-20 win over West Springfield to improve to 2-0. In that game, the Bombers senior quarterback, Jake Toomey, capped off an opening three-play drive with a 54-yard touchdown run. Then it was TD runs from Ben Geschwind (3-yarder), Craig Ward (1-footer), Ward, again (4-yarder), Rashaun Rivers (37-yard jaunt on special teams), Toomey, again (38-yard keeper), and Geschwind, again (45 yards).
The rush was on.
Westfield junior quarterback Jake Toomey drops back to pass in the 2012 Thanksgiving Day game against Cathedral at Bullens Field. Now, a senior, Toomey is looking to complete a fantastic season with another victory this Thursday against the Bombers’ holiday rival. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
In Westfield’s third game of the season, Geschwind and Cody Neidig rushed for two touchdowns apiece, and Rivers had one to combine for a 35-22 win over Putnam.
While Westfield’s defense managed to keep the competition at bay long enough in each of its first three games, it was on full display when the lights shone brightest Friday night, October 4th.
With Westfield holding on to a one touchdown lead, 13-6, Minnechaug drove 55 yards in the game’s final minutes. The Falcons were poised to score as sophomore quarterback Kyle Trombley dropped back to pass – time stood still as the QB had close to seven seconds to sit in the pocket – and fired to an open receiver in the end zone. But Bombers linebacker Jordan Cree struck like lightning, flashing in front of the receiver at the last second to intercept the ball and preserve the victory as time expired.
If it was not obvious to fans that something special was taking place in the Whip City, it would be soon. The kids, these growing young men – inspired by their head coach, Bill Moore, in his final season – would play with such heart, dedication, and desire that left lasting memories with all.
On Friday, October 13, Westfield, backed by strong play from its core stable of backs – Geschwind, Neidig, Rivers – and of course, Toomey, moved the ball up and down the field on Longmeadow, and converted a late fourth-down-and-1 near midfield to upend the Lancers for the first time in decades, 34-32.
“It was the first time we beat (Longmeadow) in 20-plus years,” said Westfield senior lineman Dominic Liquori. “It was an emotional night for me.”
One week later, Westfield improved to 6-0 with a 43-22 thrashing of Holyoke. The Bombers forced three first-half turnovers and scored three touchdowns in a 2-minute, 37-second span to overwhelm the Purple Knights.
In Week 7, Westfield posted a stunning come-from-behind victory, rallying from 22 points down to defeat East Longmeadow on the road, 48-36. The Bombers scored 34 unanswered points.
“Their cheer squad provided all the motivation we needed,” said Westfield senior halfback/linebacker Zach Kuzon. “They were booing at us, telling us to get on the bus. We shut them up.”
After seven weeks, Westfield stood at 7-0. The Bombers could not be beaten … that is, until they collided with the Central Golden Eagles in Springfield.
With the AA Conference title on the line, Central swooped in and captured the crown with a 52-14 victory. Westfield, in fact, had played very well early, only faltering after failing to convert a late first-half fourth-and-inches at the Golden Eagles’ goal line.
Westfield did not let adversity hold them down.
The Westfield High School football team rushes on to the field for the team introductions prior to taking on the Cathedral Panthers in the 2012 Thanksgiving Day Football game. Rashaun Rivers (7) will be one of several backs seeking to topple the competition Thursday at Springfield College. Kickoff is at 10:30 a.m. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
In the semifinal round of the newly-minted Division II west sectional playoffs, Westfield dispatched East Longmeadow for the second time. Rivers ran for five touchdowns and more than 200 yards, and the Bombers scored on seven straight possessions to defeat East Longmeadow, 49-26.
In the west sectional championship, Central once again put on an awesome display of power. Led by electrifying senior quarterback Cody Williams (3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD) and two defensive scores, the Golden Eagles soared to a 44-20 victory.
“In that first game (against Central) we were a little outmatched,” coach Moore said. “In the second game, we were a little better. Our kids played really tough.”
The rest is history.
Central lost a week later. Westfield quickly turned its attention to the final game of the season, a longstanding tradition of Thanksgiving Day football against Central. The teams will meet Thursday at Springfield College. Kickoff is at 10:30 a.m.
It has been a feast, of sorts, for Westfield lately.
Westfield has dominated the series over the last decade, winning six straight meetings and 10 of the last 11. The Bombers have outscored the Panthers 351-99 dating back to 2002.
Last season, Westfield trounced Cathedral 46-14.
This time around, Cathedral boasts a playoff squad. Several skilled Panthers players are expected to suit up in this year’s gridiron classic.
“This game gives our guys the chance to prove themselves one more time,” Moore said.
And from the feeling around the locker room, these Bombers appear to be itching to put on those cleats, and represent their school one more time.
“It’s the last game of the season,” said Kuzon. “No one wants to go out with a loss.”
His fellow teammates agreed.
“It will be 50 times worse if we lose on Thanksgiving,” said senior tight end/linebacker Noah Swords.
The players, donning red, white, and black unis, will be playing for their senior class, their fellow teammates, and their head coach who will retire following Thursday’s game.
“Coach Moore stayed around for us,” Bombers senior lineman Corey Ward said. “That means a lot to us. He’s one of the best coaches. We want to do our best.”
Kuzon echoed those sentiments, stating: “We want to send him out with a bang.”
WESTFIELD-CATHEDRAL SERIES HISTORY
1943 — Westfield 31, Cathedral 0
1944 — Cathedral 13, Westfield 7
1945 — Westfield 7, Cathedral 6
1946 — Cathedral 6, Westfield 0
1947 — Westfield 32, Cathedral 7
1948 — Westfield 30, Cathedral 0
1949 — Westfield 18, Cathedral 6
1950 — Cathedral 25, Westfield 12
1951 — Cathedral 20, Westfield 7
1952 — Westfield 19, Cathedral 14
1953 — Westfield 21, Cathedral 0
1954 — Westfield 6, Cathedral 0
1955 — Cathedral 22, Westfield 0
1956 — Cathedral 26, Westfield 19
1957 — Cathedral 27, Westfield 2
1958 — Westfield 8, Cathedral 0
1959 — Westfield 26, Cathedral 13
1960 — Cathedral 34, Westfield 0
1961 — Westfield 20, Cathedral 18
1962 — Westfield 28, Cathedral 22
1963 — Westfield 14, Cathedral 12
1964 — Westfield 14, Cathedral 6
1965 — Westfield 18, Cathedral 13
1966 — Cathedral 22, Westfield 0
1967 — Cathedral 11, Westfield 0
1968 — Westfield 22, Cathedral 12
1969 — Cathedral 12, Westfield 7
1970 — Cathedral 41, Westfield 15
1971 — Snowed out
1972 — Westfield 26, Cathedral 6
1973 — Westfield 24, Cathedral 10
1974 — Cathedral 42, Westfield 7
1975 — Westfield 22, Cathedral 18
1976 — Westfield 33, Cathedral 26
1977 — Westfield 28, Cathedral 7
1978 — Westfield 33, Cathedral 0
1979 — Westfield 34, Cathedral 7
1980 — Westfield 28, Cathedral 6
1981 — Westfield 20, Cathedral 0
1982 — Cathedral 13, Westfield 7
1983 — Westfield 19, Cathedral 6
1984 — Cathedral 24, Westfield 23
1985 — Cathedral 20, Westfield 7
1986 — Cathedral 20, Westfield 0
1987 — Westfield 19, Cathedral 0
1988 — Cathedral 14, Westfield 7
1989 — Cathedral 13, Westfield 6
1990 — Westfield 21, Cathedral 19
1991 — Cathedral 14, Westfield 0
1992 — Westfield 37, Cathedral 8
1993 — Cathedral 41, Westfield 24
1994 — Westfield 28, Cathedral 18
1995 — Cathedral 38, Westfield 0
1996 — Cathedral 16, Westfield 7
1997 — Cathedral 7, Westfield 6
1998 — Cathedral 26, Westfield 0
1999 — Cathedral 41, Westfield 7
2000 — Westfield 62, Cathedral 27
2001 — Cathedral 42, Westfield 0
2002 — Westfield 37, Cathedral 6
2003 — Westfield 20, Cathedral 17
2004 — Westfield 29, Cathedral 0
2005 — Westfield 47, Cathedral 20
2006 — Cathedral 26, Westfield 6
2007 — Westfield 27, Cathedral 0
2008 — Westfield 37, Cathedral 20
2009 — Westfield 28, Cathedral 0
2010 — Westfield 38, Cathedral 0
2011 – Westfield 36, Cathedral 16
2012 – Westfield 46, Cathedral 14
WHS leads series, 41-28
