|
The Warriors enter the field for the homecoming game against the Metro-East Lutheran Knights on Friday night, September 25. Photo by Jocossa Burson
Warriors Roll to 47-0 Homecoming Win Over Metro-East Lutheran  Share and special teams set the tone early on a wet and foggy late September evening, and then the Casey-Westfield Warriors got everyone involved in a dominating, 47-0 victory over visiting Edwardsville (Metro-East Lutheran) High School last Friday evening. The easy victory improved the Purple and Gold's overall record to a perfect 5-0 and finished off a successful week of Homecoming activities. The Warriors kicked off to start the game, and limited the Knights to only three offensive plays, forcing the visitors from the west side of the state to punt. Senior Chris Unzicker fielded the kick near mid-field, and then weaved through the Metro-East coverage team for an exciting 49-yard touchdown return. Clinton Scott's extra point gave the Warriors an early 7-0 advantage and actually all the points they would need in this non-conference contest. After Scott booted the ensuing kickoff, it appeared that the Warrior defense would put some points on the scoreboard. But an interception and return by Unzicker was nullified by a penalty, so Coach Keith Sinclair's offense then went to work, eventually scoring on a 10-yard run by Unzicker with 4:35 remaining in the initial quarter. The difference between these two schools, who were meeting for the first time in twenty years, increased to 20-0 with 90 seconds left in the first period when senior tailback Billy Seeley scored on an 11-yard run. The host Warriors eventually increased their lead to 40-0 by the midway point of the contest, scoring three additional touchdowns in the second quarter. Josh Thais hauled in a seven-yard scoring toss from fellow senior Brett Livvix, Seeley added his second rushing touchdown of the game, and junior Jacob Ralph concluded the second stanza scoring spree with a 13-yard fumble recovery and return. The 40-point difference resulted in a continuous clock in the second half in accordance with the IHSA's ''mercy rule'', and Casey-Westfield would tack on only one more score before the game ended. Taylor White added the Warrior's final touchdown on a 53-yard run early in the final period, and Clark Schultz booted the extra point for the final margin of victory.
''It is always nice to get a win in the Homecoming game and to have successfully overcome any distractions that the week presents to our team,'' a pleased Sinclair said after the game. ''Our special teams played well and provided a lead early in the game, and we had the opportunity to get everyone on the field that we could tonight. All of our units played well and it was nice to record the shutout win.'' Defensively, senior Mitch Markwell led the Warriors with six tackles, while Dalton Brooke and Nate Evans added five hits each. Josh Thais, Taylor White, and Ralph each were credited with four tackles on a wet and slippery Casey-Westfield High School football field. ''We were concerned with Metro-East's size coming into the game, but our defense really shut down their offense,'' Sinclair concluded. ''We were also worried about the wet field working in Metro-East's favor, but we took control early, and Unzicker's punt return really set the tone for the game.'' The Warriors, who are ranked as the number one Class 2A team in the state in the latest poll, now will prepare to take their undefeated record to Palestine this Friday night for a Little Illini Conference contest against the Pioneers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Palestine High School. Score by Quarters Metro-East Lutheran 0 0 0 0 - 0 Casey-Westfield 20 20 0 7 - 47 Scoring Summary CW: Chris Unzicker 49 punt return (Clinton Scott kick) 9:36 Quarter One CW: Unzicker 10 run (Scott kick) 4:35 Quarter One CW: Billy Seeley 11 run (kick failed) 1:32 Quarter One CW: Josh Thais 7 pass from Brett Livvix (2-point conversion failed) 9:49 Quarter Two CW: Seeley 11 run (Scott kick) 5:04 Quarter Two CW: Jacob Ralph 13 fumble recovery/return (Scott kick) 4:01 Quarter Two CW: Taylor White 53 run (Clark Schultz kick) 11:12 Quarter Four Individual Statistics Rushing: Metro-East: Niemeier 16-32, T. Holle 6-5, M. Holle 6-3, Dupy 1-(-3), McCall 1-3. Totals: 31-29. Casey-Westfield: Seeley 7-69, White 3-56, Unzicker 1-10, Carver 3-7, Huckaba 1-3, Ragsdale 1-8, Evans 1-5, Meeks 3-3, Huisinga 3-3, D. Livvix 2-(-3). Totals: 25-161. Passing: Metro-East: M. Holle 2 for 8 for 25 yards, 2 interceptions, 0 touchdowns. Casey-Westfield: B. Livvix 3 for 5 for 8 yards, 0 interceptions, 1 touchdown, Huckaba 1 of 1 for 1 yard, Belt 1 of 1 for 14 yards. Receiving: Metro-East: Johnson 2-25. Casey-Westfield: Seeley 1-2, Brewer 1-(-1), J. Thais 1-7, Scott 1-1, D. Livvix 1-14. The Casey Reporter
|
This Week's Front Page »
Related Stories »
|
