Sammy O'Brien is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Westwood High School for AZPreps365.com.

 

In a one-sided affair, Westwood High School dominated Dobson High School 48-14 to win its second game in a row on Friday, September 27.

Big plays were the key to victory for the Warriors who played a physical game and dominated on both sides of the ball, forcing multiple fumbles and blocking two punts.

“Our defensive coordinator is in charge of our punt return, and he saw something on film and said, 'Hey, coach, I want to draw something up,'” Head Coach Brandon Large said. “I think we're going to get one. And we got it and then got another one. It was great.”

There was little scoring in the first quarter until Westwood found the endzone with under a minute to go, taking a 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion.

In the second quarter, Westwood took over and exploded for 42 points.

The Warriors’ scoring came in every way possible, from pick-sixes to fumble recoveries on kickoffs.

Dobson was sloppy on defense all night, and it seemed like flags were flying constantly. This included one drive with two face-mask penalties, eventually leading to Westwood finding the end zone.

Westwood also forced back-to-back fumbles on kickoffs, returning one for a touchdown and the other leading to a score.

The Warriors defense did not let anything past them. One of the highlights was when senior defensive back Chris Martinez returned an interception over 70 yards for a touchdown.

Lineman Alex Blanco got in on the fun, scoring a touchdown himself on a trick play that left him dancing into the end zone. 

Sophomore running back Keyshawn Barkus and junior quarterback Elliot Reed worked well as a 1-2 punch, running the read option to perfection where Reed was able to score on a keeper.

The score stood 48-0 Warriors at halftime, and Coach Large made sure to keep his team sharp at halftime.

“I told them to stay focused and then we're getting dumb,” Large added. “It's gonna put us in a bad situation going into the next week.”

In the second half, Westwood pulled most of its starters and let the freshman quarterback get some experience.

Dobson found the end zone in the second half and was able to make a small impact on the deficit.

Going on the road to take on No.11-ranked Mountain View next week, they need to be on their A-game.

“We have to have a really, really good week of practice this week and really prepare for Mountain View,” Large said. “They're a very, very good football team, and it's going to be a dog fight, and we're excited for it, but we have to prepare well.”

Defensive lineman Preston Atwood knows what the Warriors are up against next week.

“Everyone just has to be mentally focused and work as a team,” the junior said.

After scoring a touchdown, senior Blanco also has his focus set on Mountain View.

“Mountain View is a tough opponent, so just working hard, getting everything right, and fixing those little mistakes," he said, "because they will kill us in the end.”