Zane Trace hands Westfall their first conference loss
By: Hunter Thompson
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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WOUB) — The Westfall Mustangs went on the road to play the Zane Trace Pioneers in this SVC division matchup. Both teams came into this game with a 4-1 record, and a 2-0 record in conference play. After a low-scoring first half, Zane Trace pulled away to win 20-7.
Westfall started this game on offense but couldn’t get anything going. The Mustangs had to punt after a three-and-out first drive but found a spark when Pioneers returner Grady Stewart fumbled his return.
The Mustangs couldn’t capitalize on the turnover because Zane Trace’s defense stood tall in the red zone forcing a turnover on downs on the Pioneers five-yard-line.
Zane Trace wouldn’t be able to replicate the performance that the defense had and were forced to punt on their opening drive. The Mustangs were able to learn from their mistakes when quarterback Quinn Eberly connected with wide receiver Landon Sparks for a 38-yard touchdown.
The Pioneers running back Jayden Higgins started shifting the momentum when he returned the kickoff to the Mustangs 39-yard-line.
The Pioneers started driving down the field, but a personal foul penalty would move them back 15 yards. The penalty led to them turning the ball over on downs in the redzone, keeping their offensive struggles going.
Westfall’s offense couldn’t get anything going either, punting the ball back to Zane Trace with 6:10 left in the second quarter.
The turnovers wouldn’t stop for Zane Trace. Jayden Higgins would fumble a toss that was recovered by Westfall on the opposing 48-yard-line. Westfall would slowly drive down the field before attempting a field goal after not converting on third down.
The Pioneers were able to get a fingertip on the field goal, keeping more points off the board before halftime.
Zane Trace started to turn things around after halftime, driving down the field on the Mustangs defense. Quarterback Gunner McCollough tied the game with a throw to Mason Hartley for a 25-yard touchdown.
The momentum would stay in the Pioneers favor when Quinn Eberly’s pass was intercepted by Pioneers linebacker Peyton Arthurs. Zane Trace had another productive drive before two penalties set them back 25 yards, forcing them to punt.
The Mustangs got the ball back quickly from the defense’s strong efforts, and Jayden Higgins took a handoff 29-yards to give the Mustangs the lead 13-7.
The Pioneers defense continued their efforts throughout the fourth quarter, forcing a three-and-out giving Zane Trace the ball back with just under 10 minutes remaining. Zane Trace would cap off their nearly four-minute drive with a trick play where Jayden Higgins threw to Mason Hartley for his second touchdown of the game.
Zane Trace faces Unioto next week in what could decide the conference championship, while Westfall looks to rebound against Adena.