Bombers quarterback Mike Nihill (11) throws a dart for a first down during a Friday night football game at Leominster. After struggling early against the Blue Devils, Nihill rallied Westfield High to a dramatic 29-28 victory. (Photo by Randy Burlingame)
LEOMINSTER – The glory days are back.
It may be too soon to actually make that declaration, but after the Westfield Bombers rallied from 21 points down in Friday night football to stun the Leominster Blue Devils 29-28, few Whip City faithful will likely argue with that.
Westfield quarterback Mike Nihill led a spirited rally, scoring on a five-yard keeper with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to pull his team within one point of a tie. The Bombers opted to forgo the game-tying extra point in favor of a two-point try. Nihill ran it in.
“It was an awesome game, very reminiscent of the game we had against Central,” Westfield High football coach Rob Parent said, alluding to the Bombers’ dramatic win over the Golden Eagles during their playoff run a few years ago. “The kids responded to adversity with a shutout in the second half. It was a great comeback and morale boost.”
Parent said the decision to go for the win instead of the tie was an easy one.
“You don’t drive two hours to go and play for overtime,” coach Parent said. “This was a test of our team’s character and how we’re built. We made that decision in the fourth quarter before we even got to that point. Mike made the right play.”
The final drive was a thing of beauty.
Dakotah Moynihan ran for 26 yards. Nihill completed a 36-yard pass to Bailey Collier. Mason Collingwood hauled in a big toss for a nice gain. Westfield also converted two key fourth downs, including a short Nihill scramble near midfield and a red zone sneak.
“It was a rough first half for Mike,” Parent said, “but it was probably the gutsiest performance I have ever seen in this program. It was great to see him finish and make it worth the ride.”
Nihill rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another to Collier. Collier also had a kickoff return for touchdown.
Westfield will carry a 2-0 record into their home opener next Friday night against Commerce. Kickoff at Bullens is 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Saints battle to tie
St. Mary’s 0, Pathfinder 0
The bad news: the St. Mary’s High School girls soccer team failed to win its second straight game to begin the season. The good news: they are still unbeaten.
St. Mary’s waged a hard fought, defensive battle, alongside their goalie, Jess Crosby, who delivered a dominating effort, and the Saints played Pathfinder to a 0-0 tie on the road Friday.
Crosby dazzled in net, collecting 15 saves en route to the shutout. She was helped out by St. Mary’s defenders Erin Olearcek, Caroline Leahy, Paighton Ramos, and Macy Goodger.
“(They) anchored a staunch defensive group (that) withstood the veteran laden Pathfinder squad,” St. Mary’s coach Patrick Olearcek said.
St. Mary’s (1-0-1) has now taken three of four possible points so far this season. The Saints have a busy week ahead with home games against Westfield Technical Academy (Wednesday) and Commerce (Friday), and a short road trip to Westfield Tech (Saturday).
Waitt scores; Gerrish saves
Southwick 1, Holyoke 0
Autumn Waitt scored the lone goal for the game-winner for Southwick. Karli Langan assisted.
Rams goalie Hannah Gerrish made five saves to earn the shutout.
Bombers stay unbeaten
Westfield 3, Longmeadow 0
Three different players (Chandler Pedolzky, Emma Pedolzky, and Kaela Mochak) scored one goal apiece in Westfield’s road shutout. Chandler also had an assist.
Adrianna Arona made eight saves, including a key stop late on a breakaway.
Emma played a strong game at center-mid, alongside key cogs, Catie Bean, Claire Lemarche, Ellen Jury, and Mackenzie Liptak.
Westfield improved to 4-0.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Rams sweep
Southwick def. Franklin Tech 25-9, 25-14, 25-15
Allie Methe (5 digs, 7 aces, 3 kills), Kaitlyn Haseltine (1 dig, 8 aces, 3 kills, 5 assists), Jen Motsko (8 kills, 2 digs), Kayla Andrade (2 digs, 1 ace, 2 kills, 6 assists), and Vicky Burkovskiy (2 blocks, 1 dig, 2 aces, 4 kills) led Southwick’s sweep.
JV GIRLS SOCCER
Southwick 3, Holyoke 2
Freshman Hannah Burke, seventh grader Amanda Belliveau and sophomore Brooke Bellows scored goals for Southwick (2-1). Rams’ freshman Morgan McCasland, Brooke Bellows and seventh grader Alaney Glynn assisted.
Southwick goalies Sydney Demyon and Maddi Landis combined for eight saves.
