West Central Falls On Senior Night

On an absolutely gorgeous night for football in Francesville, with a gorgeous background of cornfields underneath a beautifully lit Fall evening sky, West Central High School honored their senior athletes and band members. Optimism was high for the Trojan faithful as the Marc Hall led Trojans were looking to get back on the winning track after losing four consecutive games, after starting out the season 3-0.

The optimism carried over to the first play of the game for the Trojans. As North White quarterback Anthony Ball dropped back to unleash his first throw of the ballgame, on the very first play, cornerback Gavin Taylor read the play perfectly. The 5’6 130lb Freshman jumped the pass and was able to get the interception, as well as the momentum for the Trojans. After a couple of nice plays, the Trojans ended up turning the ball back over to the Vikings. The West Central defense was able to stiffen up and force the Vikings into a punting situation. North White had other plans however. Lined up in their punting formation, the Vikings were able to execute a fake punt, where Junior Cade Garrett took the snap from his punter position, and was able to run off the right side of the formation for a 6-yard gain, and a North White first down to keep the drive alive.

It was on the very next play that the 6’2 160lb quarterback for North White, Anthony Ball, began to unleash his arm. Lined up in their usual “Pistol” formation, Ball took the snap from center and rolled slightly to the left of the formation. He then quickly popped his hips and let fly a perfect spiral into the hands of Junior wingback Brayden Buschman for a pickup of 43 yards, after he was tracked down by West Central’s Blayden Huber, who saved a sure touchdown from being scored. The Vikings would not be denied this time, however, as Ball was able to hookup with Senior receiver Justin Russell for a 10-yard touchdown and the first score of the game. After the extra point, the Vikings held a 7-0 lead with 6:34 remaining in the first quarter.

The Trojans once again had possession of the ball, and were showing signs of getting things going in their favor. 5’9 155lb Senior wingback Coty Marlatt was ready, willing, and able to show off his athleticism. On a toss play, designed to go to the left of the offensive formation, Marlatt completely changed direction, and cut back to the right, eluding defenders before being tackled after a pickup of 9 yards on the carry. Extra yardage was also tacked on after an illegal horse collar penalty gave the Trojans even better position heading towards their end zone. Once again though, the Trojans were unable to get the ball into the end zone, and were forced to give it back to the Vikings. North White was more than willing to get the offense going once again.

The scoring drive for North White would only take a single play, as Anthony Ball rolled out to the right of the offensive formation and, without setting his feet, was able to throw a perfect strike to Justin Russell, who then won the footrace to the end zone, as the Vikings tacked on a 90-yard touchdown pass completion and increase their lead to 13-0 following a missed extra point attempt.

As the second quarter rolled around, the Vikings continued to apply pressure with their passing attack. Anthony Ball was able to throw his third touchdown of the first half, as he found fellow Senior Richie Spear in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard score to make the score 19-0 with 10:36 remaining in the first half. The Trojans once again began to show signs of life on offense, but ultimately could not sustain their next drive, and put the ball back into the hands of the Vikings and quarterback Anthony Ball. Ball this time went to Junior Cade Garrett. After a pump fake on the hitch portion of the “hitch and go” rout, Ball reared back and was able to hit Garrett down the sideline, and the Junior did the rest of the work as he rumbled 60 yards down the field for the fourth passing touchdown of the game for the Vikings. The made extra point put the score at 26-0 at the half.

North White was able to maintain control of the game in the second half. The biggest highlight of the game for the Trojans came with 4:47 left to go in the game, when Blayden Huber was able to take the “zero” off the board for West Central, on an extremely impressive 40-yard run for the lone Trojan touchdown of the ball game. After a successful 2-point conversion, the scoreboard read 35-8, which would be the final score.

Despite the loss, the Trojans of West Central showed signs, on both sides of the ball, of the team that had begun this season at 3-0. They also demonstrated that there is plenty of fight left for the boys in maroon and white. The two biggest questions for the Trojans as they look forward to the postseason (where they will host South Central in Round One of Sectional play next Friday) are, how do you want to be remembered? And how bad is that inner fire burning? We have reached the point in the season where every team that plays on Friday night from here on out is undefeated. All of the ups and downs of the regular season are in the rearview mirror. If the Trojans are able to dig down and keep their eyes on the road in front of them, finding ways to go 1-0 each week in the postseason, nobody will remember a 3-5 regular season record. It will be the teams that are able to keep their eyes on the road ahead of them that will continue to play into the latter stages of the Fall season. The teams who dwell on what they see in the rearview mirror, whether it be good or bad, will be the teams preparing for the winter sports season sooner, rather than later. The teams focusing out that windshield on the road ahead will be remembered for their ability to stay inspired, in spite of a tough regular season.

The questions stand. How do you want to be remembered? How bad is that inner fire burning?