WESTFIELD – You have likely have heard the phrase “to catch lightning in a bottle.”
Well, on Friday night, the Westfield High School football team struck like lightning and bottled up West Springfield at Bullens Field. The Bombers exploded for two touchdowns in the opening two minutes, and three in the first quarter en route to throttling West Side 44-0.
Westfield (4-1) could not have drawn up a better start to the contest.
In the first quarter, Westfield, on its first play from scrimmage handed off to senior running back Wilton Royal. Royal bounced to the outside like a pinball, eluding the defense and racing up the right sideline 63 yards untouched for a touchdown. The score came 20 seconds in.
Westfield celebrates the first of several touchdowns scored in a 44-0 blowout of West Springfield Friday night at Bullens Field. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
On its first kick return, West Side (3-2) nearly turned the ball over before recovering its own fumble. The Terriers coughed it up on their first play from scrimmage though, handing the ball to Westfield on their own 27-yard line.
Four plays later, Westfield quarterback Austin St. Pierre completed a 23-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Bailey Collier.
Collier ended West Side’s next drive with an interception on his team’s 20-yard line. Two series later, St. Pierre slipped a tackle and ran 43 yards along the right sideline for another Westfield touchdown.
West Springfield did not get much time to enjoy its next series either as Westfield defensive back Zach Adam intercepted the ball on second down, giving the Bombers the ball at the West Side 39 as time expired in the first quarter.
Westfield continued its domination in the second quarter. The Bombers put together two long drives, the first of which culminated in a five-yard touchdown run from Royal with 8:19 remaining in the quarter. St. Pierre capped off the next scoring drive with a 63-yard TD run with 1:48 left on the clock.
West Side finished the first half with just 30 yards of total offense.
The Terriers did not fare much better in the second half as they fumbled their first play from the line of scrimmage. Westfield went on to force two more turnovers, including an interception from Connor Baldaraso late in the third quarter.
Westfield’s Scott Walsh intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter. The Bombers cashed in, soon scoring on a 66-yard touchdown gallop from Mark Blahut.
With this matchup now in the books, Westfield will turn its attention to even bigger showdown next Friday when 5-0 Northampton comes to town. Kickoff at Bullens Field is at 7 p.m.
GYMNASTICS
Walkers, Bombers soar
Westfield, 133.075; Hampshire, 126.225; Agawam, 122.50
Westfield’s Liz Walker finished as the meet’s top All-Around gymnast, compiling a score of 34.075. Walker struck gold on the vault (8.45), uneven bars (8.45), and balance beam (8.675).
Westfield’s Mairead Hagan claimed second All-Around with a 33.2. Hagan placed third on bars (8.35) and floor exercise (8.7).
Other top three finishers included: Kealyn Matuszczak (vault/2nd/8.1), Caity Daniels (beam/2nd/8.3), and Madi Somppi (floor/1st).
BOYS’ SOCCER
Tigers net tie
Westfield Technical Academy 1, Putnam 1
Dan Kontsimal, Dave Tikhonchuk, and Bodhi Hall played well defensively for Westfield Tech.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Crosby saves 17
Mount Everett 5, St. Mary 0
“We played well against a really strong all-around team … who is by far the strongest team that we’ve faced this season,” said St. Mary coach Andy Lussier, who received a solid effort from Jess Crosby (17 saves), defender Sam Manchino, and midfielders Lexi Shedd and Bella Scarpa.
JV BOYS’ SOCCER
Southwick 2, Frontier 2
Nate Girard and Evan Clarke each scored for Southwick. Rams’ Zack Karetha and Ryan Molta assisted, respectively.
Southwick’s JV record now stands at 5-2-3.
JV FIELD HOCKEY
Southwick 0, Turners Falls 0
Southwick goalie Clare Stratton (5 saves) earned a shutout. The Rams’ JV squad is currently 2-3-2 overall, 2-0-2 league.
