Westfield High School football senior quarterback stiff arms an Agawam player in a Friday night matchup at Bullens Field. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
WESTFIELD – Two up, two down.
The Westfield High School football team has come roaring out of the gate to begin the 2016 season. The Bombers improved to 2-0 with a 38-19 win over Agawam Friday night at Bullens Field.
While the season opener featured an aerial assault from senior quarterback Austin St. Pierre, Westfield turned to the running game to turn back Agawam.
Westfield opened up against Agawam just like it did opening night against Hoosac Valley. On the game’s opening drive, the Bombers utilized their quick-strike, no huddle attack moving the ball 61 yards in eight plays and scoring on a St. Pierre six-yard touchdown scramble. The senior QB smashed into the end zone with 8:33 remaining to take a 6-0 lead. A two-point run from Wilton Royal made it 8-0.
Westfield dialed up a defensive stand on its first turn from the opposite side of the ball, bending but not breaking. Agawam moved the ball 22 yards before being stopped on a fourth-and-10 from the Bombers’ 39-yard line.
Westfield sought to extend the lead on its second drive, but fumbled near midfield. The turnover proved to be costly.
Agawam capitalized, marching 50 yards in 13 plays, and scoring on a three-yard touchdown run from Anthony Adams with 6:11 left in the quarter. The two-point conversion failed, leaving Westfield with a two-point lead.
Westfield’s defense stiffened again on the next Agawam drive. Bombers’ Zach Adam intercepted the ball on his team’s own 13-yard line to halt the Brownies.
On Westfield’s next possession, the Bombers moved the ball 87 yards in eight plays. They scored on St. Pierre’s 15-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Bailey Collier with five ticks left in the half. St. Pierre’s ensuing two-point run gave the Bombers a 14-6 halftime lead.
Westfield put the heat on Agawam early in the second half. The Bombers raised their intensity level up a notch, stripping the Brownies of the ball on the third play from the line of scrimmage.
Westfield took over near midfield, and chewed up 53 yards with an 11-play drive that culminated in a 1-yard TD run from senior running back Mark Blahut with 6:16 remaining in the quarter. A two-point pass (St. Pierre to Mason Collingwood) made it 24-6.
The celebration was short-lived though, at least temporarily.
Agawam put together consecutive scoring drives. The Brownies scored at the 3:52 mark of the third quarter on a short QB keeper from Mike Basile, and crossed the goal line on a 10-yard TD run, again from Basile, 11 seconds into the final quarter to cut Westfield’s lead to 24-18.
Westfield responded.
After being stopped on their previous possession, Westfield put together another successful scoring drive. Royal juked across the goal line with 8:24 remaining in the game. A two-point run from St. Pierre gave the Bombers a 32-19 advantage.
Royal tacked on an insurance score late in the fourth quarter with a five-yard TD run to help Westfield pull away.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Goodreau, Saints shine
St. Mary 3, Commerce 0
Seventh grader Allie Goodreau had a hand in all three St. Mary goals, scoring twice and assisting on another in the Saints’ road shutout. Lexi Shedd finished with one goal and one assist, and Jess Crosby had an assist.
“It was a great win today for our Lady Saints,” St. Mary coach Andy Lussier said. “We played strong all around today and things are beginning to come together. Our communication between lines and control of the ball in the middle created several scoring opportunities for our front line.”
The defense held strong, turning Commerce away and delivering the ball to the front line, allowing the forwards to penetrate the Commerce defense.
Seniors Jenna Turrini and Sam Machino, as well as freshman Mary Turbolski and Earin Olearcek, kept the opposition from creating any real scoring opportunities.
“There was a lot of improvement from several of our new players today as well,” Lussier said. “We still have a lot of work to do and the confidence is growing with this team.”
St. Mary goalies Aisling Butler and Jess Crosby combined for seven saves.
