WINNING PLAY -- Bay City Western's Charles Proctor makes the game saving interception with only seconds remaining in the game. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) Western Holds Off Upset-Minded Central 40-37
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-- All MyBayCity Photos by John Keuvelaar --
Every team has its rival opponent that each team loves to beat. But the Central versus Western rivalry seems to elevate that rivalry feeling to a higher level. It is a happening that people who have no connection with either school want to be a part of. Even more special with this rivalry is that it spills over the effort that each team puts on the field every year. This truly is a game that you throw out the record as both teams play like champions on every snap. And this year's version, with all its ebbs and flows, has to rank at the top of the memory list.
Rivalry aside, this was a big game for both programs. Western was in need of a win to stop a tough two game skid and create positive momentum heading into next weeks playoffs. Central needed the win to not only end the season with a winning record but to finish a turn around in their season while clinging to hope that they may make the playoffs at 5-4 with a win over a playoff team. Central drew first blood with a first drive touchdown but then fell far behind under a Western air assault. In the final quarter, a fierce comeback fell just three points short as Western held on for a 40-37 win.
Central started the contest with good field position after the opening kickoff rolled out of bounds. They then march down the field before Austin Jones hit Western transfer, Brett Leppek for a 15 yard touchdown pass and with the kick it was 7-0 Central.
Neither team could do much the rest of the quarter but Western got it going heading into the second quarter. Shortly after the change of directions, Western moved in for the score with Austin Pichiotino finding Tyler Kuch for a 21 yard touchdown strike. A Mike Meyers kick made it 7-7.
Following a three and out, Western went back on the attack. After driving down field, Pichiotino found Kuch again, this time on a 12 yard pass for the pairs second touchdown hookup. Central blocked the extra point making it 13-7.
The blocked extra point fired up the Wolves as they got their offense going. Keeping much to the ground, the Wolves were able to drive down to the Warrior 12 before a fumbled snap ended the drive giving Western the ball on their 18 yard line. Western seized this shift in momentum when Pichiotino hooked up with Tyler Kuch again. The senior receiver caught the ball on his 38 yard line and ran it to the Central 44. From there Pichiotino ran it down to the Wolves 20. A couple plays later, it was Pichiotino racing in from the 12 to give the Warriors a commanding 20-7 lead late in the second quarter.
Following a Central punt, Western tried to score once more before the end of the first half. But former Warrior, Brett Leppek, stung his former teammates again when he intercepted the ball on the Central 22 to end one drive and start another. The Wolves move the ball quickly and Tommy Jacobs nails a 26 yard field goal with 3 seconds on the clock to send the Wolves into the locker room trailing 20-10.
-- All MyBayCity Photos by John Keuvelaar --
Central strikes back on their first possession of the second half. Following the direction of QB Austin Jones, Central drives down field with Jones punching it in from the one making it 26-17.
The tide seemed to have turned as Central stops Western forcing a rare punt by the Warriors. When the punt is mishandled by Central, the Warriors pounce on the ball and are in business on Central's 25 yard line. It doesn't take long for Pichiotino to find Chris Baba on a 23 yard scoring toss and Western has expanded their lead to 33-17.
Central showed that they have come a long way this year. Even more determined, they drove the ball back down field looking to move to within two scores. Two pass completions had them on the Western 20. The Warrior defense came up big as a pass destined to Brett Leppek was intercepted by the Warriors Cameron Roth at the 3 preserving the Warrior lead.
Western went right back on the attack with the help of a huge reception from Mason Meyers. The junior running back caught the ball on the Western 15 and found a seam taking it to the Central 34. A short pass and penalties later, the Warriors were knocking at the door on the Wolves 4. Fittingly Pichiotino hit Meyers with a four yard scoring pass and Western was now ahead 40-17 late in the third quarter.
As the Wolves were on the attack most of the night, they now went rabid. After a solid return placed the ball near midfield, Central moved the ball to the 14. Shortly in the fourth quarter, Jones got the Wolves on the comeback hunt with a 1 yard touchdown scamper narrowing the score to 40-24.
Brett Leppek continued the comeback theme when he intercepted the pass on Western's next possession. Then Leppek hauled in a 35 scoring pass from Jones for a touchdown to send the Elmer Engel Stadium into a frenzy. With the score 40-30, Central went for two in homes of making it a one possession game but the attempt failed.
As if the game couldn't get any more exciting, Central recovered their onside kick giving them the ball at midfield. The Warrior defense stood strong forcing a punt but moments later, a Warrior fumble recovered by Central gave the Wolves a first and goal at the 6 yard line. Jones scored his second touchdown from the one yard line and with the kick, the Wolves were within 3, 40-37.
Western gets right back into their passing rhythm when a couple passes have them on their 48. But the fumble bug hits the Warriors again and Central recovers on Western's 46. After a penalty moves the ball back into Central territory, Leppek gets them back on the Western side of the mid-stripe. But the Warrior defense holds giving Western great field position. The Warrior offense drives the ball down field and after Pichiotino runs to the 8 yard line, things look hopeless. The Wolves defense comes up strong and when a fourth down pass falls incomplete, Central had a glimmer of light and 94 yards to go in very little time.
After a Western penalty moved the ball out to the Central 25, Western's Charles Proctor came up with the game saving interception at the Western 39 and following a knee, the Warriors had escaped the Wolves Den with a 40-37 thriller.
Austin Pichiotino lead Western's offense with 305 yards passing on 20 for 38 throwing while adding 80 more yards rushing on 12 carries. Tyler Kuch had 132 of those receiving yards on 8 catches and 3 for touchdowns.
Brett Leppek was clearly the inspired leader for Central against his former mates. He ran for 85 yards on 13 carries, caught 5 balls for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns and even threw for 78 yards on 2 for 2 passing. He also had 2 interceptions. Joined in his superb evening was QB Austin Jones who threw for 174 yards on 8 completions while rushing for 3 touchdowns and being on the receiving end of both of Leppek's passes good for 78 yards.
While these were the statistical leaders on the field, the players and coaches from both sides played outstanding ball and should equally be congratulated for their efforts. It was a game and a night that both teams will remember for many years to come.
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John Keuvelaar |
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