Westfield’s Garrett Fitzgerald intercepts a Holyoke pass during Friday night’s game under the lights of Bullens Field. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – It was the classic “trap” game for the Westfield High School football team. These Bombers would have none of that.
One week after defeating Longmeadow for the first time in decades, Westfield responded with a 43-22 thrashing of Holyoke Friday night at Bullens Field.
Westfield’s defense forced four turnovers, three in the first half. The unbeaten Bombers (6-0) scored three touchdowns in a 2-minute, 37-second span during the first half to seize control of the game from the outset.
It was somewhat of an inauspicious start for Westfield as Holyoke’s offense moved the ball the length of the field into the red zone. But, as usual, the Bombers’ defense awoke like a sleeping giant.
Westfield junior defensive back Cody Neidig intercepted an overthrown ball on the Bombers’ own 6-yard line. A few plays later, Neidig scampered 48 yards, and senior fullback Ben Geschwind followed with an 11-yard touchdown run with 6:24 remaining in the opening quarter.
The defense stepped up big again with senior linebacker Garrett Fitzgerald in front of Holyoke sophomore quarterback Andrew Peltier’s pass for an interception on the Purple Knights’ 39-yard line.
Westfield quickly converted, scoring on senior halfback Zach Kuzon’s 10-yard touchdown run with 4:49 left in the quarter.
The defensive surge continued with the Bombers.
Westfield’s Zachary Kuzon scores during the first quarter against Holyoke. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
On Holyoke’s next series, Westfield senior DB Craig Ward picked up a fumble near midfield and returned the ball 55 yards for a touchdown with 3:47 left in the quarter. The Bombers led 21-0.
Holyoke’s offense chewed up some huge chunks of yardage again on its next possession only to be stopped by the Westfield defense yet again. The Bombers pressured the quarterback on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line, and broke up a pass in the corner of the end zone to take over on downs.
Westfield’s defense rose up again, making two more fourth down stops in the second quarter. The offense kept up as well for the Bombers.
After turning over the ball on an interception, Westfield came back on its next possession and made it 29-0 with senior halfback Rashaun Rivers’ 25-yard touchdown run. Rivers burst through the defensive line, made his way out along the right sideline, tiptoed around the Holyoke secondary, and exploded an additional 10 yards into the end zone with 4:57 left in the half.
Westfield was not done lighting up the first-half scoreboard.
With 1:33 left in the half, Neidig crossed the goal line after peeling off a 68-yard TD run to make it 36-0.
The second half featured much of the same with a twist of sorts.
Westfield opened up, chewing up yardage like they have done all season long. Then, senior quarterback Jake Toomey dropped back into the pocket and threw a beautiful spiral to wide-open senior tight end Noah Swords who completed the catch for a 22-yard scoring play with 9:51 left, resulting in a 43-0 lead and the exodus of the varsity players.
Peltier scored three late touchdowns – one to Raekwon Acevedo for 25 yards, a 30-yard strike to Justin White, and a 3-yarder to Kristian Arturet.
Junior linebacker Jordan Cree also had an interception for Westfield in the second half.
