Westfield’s John Toomey, left, carries during the first quarter of Saturday’s game against visiting Holyoke. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield High School football team delivered a solid defensive effort in the first half against Holyoke Saturday at Bullens Field, but committed two costly second-half turnovers in a 26-15 loss to fall to 0-3 to begin the 2012 season.
Holyoke intercepted the ball in its own red zone early in the third quarter, and recovered a fumble at midfield in the fourth quarter to halt another Westfield drive and prevent the Bombers from winning its home opener.
Westfield drew first blood, taking a lead on their second snap from the line of scrimmage when senior halfback John Toomey juked his way to a 71-yard touchdown. Toomey shot through the line, shook off the Holyoke linebackers, and raced past the Purple Knights secondary. His touchdown gave Westfield a 7-0 lead with 9:51 remaining in the opening quarter.
Holyoke virtually went 3-and-out on its first three series, and had its punt blocked on the third set of plays. Westfield took over on the Purple Knights’ 29-yard line, but managed just four yards in four plays.
Westfield nearly stopped Holyoke on its fourth series, cutting off junior quarterback Endy Sanchez’s path at the line of scrimmage. But Sanchez lateraled the ball to the Purple Knights’ back, who ran 58 yards for the touchdown. The score came with 10:05 left before the half. The extra point attempt failed.
Westfield responded with a long, time-consuming drive, moving the ball all the way into the red zone. But the Bombers drive stalled at the 15-yard line.
Holyoke wasted little time scoring in the second half.
On its first series of the third quarter, Holyoke punched in the ball from 27 yards out to take a 12-7 advantage with 8:04 on the clock.
Westfield’s next possession ended with an interception when junior quarterback Jake Toomey’s pass was tipped and batted around in the end zone before landing in the arms of a Holyoke defensive player.
Westfield turned the tables again. Bombers’ defensive back Quinn Barbeito, the team’s top rusher a week ago, intercepted the throw of second-half QB Justin White near midfield.
Westfield soon reclaimed the lead. Seven plays later, Toomey connected on a 30-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass to Barbeito. Following a two-point pass to sophomore tight end Ryan Bucko, the Bombers led 15-12 with 10:41 to go.
Holyoke ate up a bunch of yardage and a lot of time on its next drive. The Purple Knights moved the ball 73 yards on 11 plays, scoring on White’s 20-yard strike to Kristian Arturet with 6:38 remaining. Arturet caught the ball in between two defensive backs, spun through, and raced to the end zone. White tacked on a 2-point run to make it 20-15.
Three plays later from the line of scrimmage, Westfield fumbled.
Holyoke capitalized, taking over on its opponents’ 40-yard line, and soon scoring on a White to Nick Velis touchdown pass that netted 14 yards. It was the final dagger.
Westfield had a trick play intercepted to end its offensive day. The Bombers, whose last two games have been shifted to Saturdays to avoid mosquitoes, will play Putnam at Central High School next Saturday at 1. The game was originally scheduled for the afternoon tilt.
