Austin Jones took the pass and dove for the end zone to pull Central to within 6 points.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western Intercepts Central's Upset Bid
Cameron Roth's late game interception preserves 27-21 Western win.
October 21, 2012
By: John Keuvelaar
These are the type of rivalry games that the records never seem to matter. Friday's Western-Central game fit that billing with both teams having more than pride to play for. Physical play and punishing running dominated the play but in the end, it was passing that turned the tide. With Central having possession of the ball late in the game, Western's Cameron Roth stepped in front of a slant pass to stop Central's go-ahead drive and seal Western's victory, 27-21.
Always a party at the Western Cornfield Stadium.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
There were more games than just football on this night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Even the blowups were available for fun.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Evan ESPN got into the action.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Future Warriors try their skills on the rope foot work.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
But in the end there was plenty to eat before the game.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
And what is better on a cool night than a cup of hot soup.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
There weren't many takers of the shaved ice tonight.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Let's hope that washes off.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
As the Warrior faithful will tell you, it is time to go Wolf hunting.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Lots of team spirit to go around.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Central took the opening kickoff and marched down field much on the running of Andre Houston. Davon Jackson capped off the drive with a four yard touchdown scamper and Central was on top 7-0.
Taylor Schepper and Jon Metz find it hard to bring down Central's Andre Houston.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
It took more than one player to bring down the runners all night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Jon Metz reaches to help his fellow Warrior.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western didn't take long to answer back. With junior QB Cameron Pine filling in for the injured Joe Ivan, the Warriors fired up their ground attack with the duel threat of Mason Myers and Charles Proctor. Then Proctor took the ball off left tackle, broke across field and raced 38 yards for the score. A failed kick left Central still on top, 7-6.
Mason Myers fights off the Central tackler.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Charles Proctor races down field for a 38 yard touchdown will fellow running back Mason Myers helps clear the way.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western took the lead to start the second quarter. After moving the ball into the Wolves' territory, Mason Myers took a draw play 34 yards going untouched for the touchdown. The good extra point made it 13-7, Western on top.
Mason Myers enjoys a light moment with his coach.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western continued to pound the ball with Mason and Proctor with good success. Then Cameron Pine threw his first pass of the evening connecting with Andrew Mudd. The speedy wide out caught the ball in stride and splitting the defenders, he raced 66 yards for a touchdown and a 20-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
After holding Central to a three and out, Western took possession of the ball near midfield and started another drive. Then a fumble was scooped up by Central's Brady Draves. He raced 33 yards for a touchdown to put a charge back into the Central sidelines and narrow the margin to 20-14.
Tar'Quinn Rutledge tries to knock a would be tackler off Andre Houston.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The Central defense was physical all night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Tar'Quinn Rutledge finds it touch going in the middle of the pile.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Just as Western has done all year, they sought to grab momentum back before half time. With four minutes to play in the half, Western went right back to work running the football. It was Proctor again with the long touchdown run. This time he took the ball around the end and ran 30 yards for the score putting the Warriors up at the half, 27-14.
Charles Proctor breaks loose for another touchdown.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western started the second half with another good drive. But the Wolves defense stiffened stopping the Warriors on Central's 20. The two teams battled it out for the rest of the quarter but neither was able to find pay dirt. Then Central got their offense rolling in the fourth quarter.
Relying on the legs of Andre Houston, the Wolves drove deep into Warrior territory. With fourth and one on the five yard line, Houston gained the first down to keep the drive alive. After a loss, Josh Billette hit Austin Jones on a sideline pass. Jones turned the corner and dove into the end zone for an 8 yard scoring strike and suddenly Central had pulled within 6 points, 27-21.
Andre Houston runs over Taylor Schepper.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Austin Jones took the pass and dove for the end zone to pull Central to within 6 points.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
If it wasn't before, the game had now gotten very exciting with just over 6 minutes to play.
The Wolves seized the momentum and stopped Western on a three and out. Following the punt, Central was now at midfield with just under four minutes on the game clock and looking for the game winning drive. As they have done all year, the Western defense stiffened forcing a fourth and five on their 45 yard line with just over two minutes to play.
Billette took a short drop and spotted his open receiver on a slant pattern toward the center of the field. He fired a nice pass to his receiver when Western's Cameron Roth stepped in between and reached up for the interception stopping the Wolves drive and ending their hopes of an upset win over the Warriors. Charles Proctor sealed the game with a first down run and Western completed an 8-1 regular season winning 27-21.
Central fans fire up their Wolves.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Another big hit along the sidelines.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
It was all out battling in the trenches as Mason Myers follows his blockers.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
No, they aren't playing Twister.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Charles Proctor is tracked down.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Western's Mason Myers ran for 122 yards on 19 carries while his running mate, Charles Proctor almost matched the output with 117 yards on 13 carries. QB Cameron Pine added 92 yards in the air on 2 for 3 throwing.
Central was led on the ground by Andre Houston with carried the ball 23 times for 125 yards. QB Josh Billette threw for 31 yards with 26 of them to Austin Jones.
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