Mustangs’ run ends in loss
In what was an odd contest, Westfield couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities Duncanville gave it and fell 28-21 in the Class 6A Division I Region II championship game Saturday at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
The Mustangs (12-2) fumbled on the Panthers’ 2 on fourth down after an interception by Da’Cameron Ford set them up deep in Duncanville territory in the third quarter, then threw an interception in the end zone on fourthand-goal from the 10 late in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Duncanville (13-0) had two touchdowns called back due to penalties and strangely attempted a fake punt — which Westfield snuffed out — from its own 33 while leading 21-6 midway through the second quarter.
Panthers running back Caden Durham rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns, marking the second straight week he terrorized a Houston-area school after running for 200 yards and three scores in the regional semifinal during a 35-3 win over The Woodlands.
Nearly all of Westfield’s 303 yards of offense came on three drives.
It marched 66 yards on the game’s opening possession for a touchdown, received a 90-yard TD run from Taji Atkins in the third quarter and drove inside the Duncanville 10 on its final possession, but otherwise, the Mustangs hardly moved the ball, punting six times.
If you take out Westfield’s two biggest offensive plays, it averaged less than 3 yards a play.
“We just ran out of time,” Westfield coach Matt Meekins said. “We went for it on fourth down deep in their territory because I didn’t think field goals were going to help us in this game.”
Highlights
Preston Hatter’s 38yard touchdown strike to Da’John Palomo gave Westfield a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter, but Durham needed only two attempts to cover 75 yards on the ensuing possession as he crossed the goal line from the 28 to tie the game.
On Duncanville’s next possession, he sprinted into the end zone from 29 yards out, and had compiled 104 yards and two touchdowns in his first three carries.
His 8-yard TD run in the second quarter gave the Panthers a 21-6 lead, but after Westfield’s defense stopped the fake punt, Hatter crossed the goal line from the 14 and the Mustangs only trailed 21-14 at the break despite having less than 100 yards of offense.
Durham scored on a 36-yard run late in the third quarter, which was immediately followed by Atkins’ long touchdown run.
What it means
Westfield’s season comes to a close, while Duncanville advances to the state semifinals to face Dallas Prosper.
The Mustangs’ other loss on the season came to North Shore, which is also undefeated and faces Austin Westlake in the other Class 6A Division I semifinal.
Quotable
“This group has worked 11 months to play in games like this and they earned the right to be here,” Meekins said. “I like our players’ competitive nature and we’ve had a great year. I love our guys and there’s a lot of love in our locker room.”
Game balls
Atkins finished with 139 yards rushing and Hatter threw for 130 yards.
Palomo had four receptions for 74 yards.
Duncanville quarterback Keelon Russell passed for 100 yards and added 73 on the ground.
The Panthers defensive line sacked Hatter five times.
Up next
Duncanville will play Dallas Prosper for the right to play in the state championship game.