Blog LIVE Blog of 6D Finals - Westfield 35, Yorktown 7 - FINAL

[matthew328826]

It's almost time for the Region 6D Championship with the #3 seed Yorktown Patriots (11-1) taking on the #1 seed Westfield Bulldogs (12-0), a perennial power that has captured three state titles since 2015.

Before we get to updates on here in the LIVE Game Blog and on Twitter via @hatfieldsports, let's review the Predictions and Brantley Henninger's Game Preview....

 

[matthew328826]

Here is Brantley's Preview...

#3 Yorktown Patriots (11-1) vs. #1 Westfield Bulldogs (12-0)....

While Yorktown looks to push further into the playoffs than ever before, Westfield is trying to regain the Class 6 crown they lost last season.

The dark horse pick for Region 6D, Yorktown has not disappointed in postseason play. After giving up a surprising 23 points to George Marshall, the Patriots returned to usual form to beat James Madison 25-10. Though defense has been crucial to the success of Yorktown (7.9 points allowed/game), the offense is certainly more than capable of production. Senior QB Grant Wilson has shown himself to be highly effective under center, passing for over 2,400 yards and 22 TD against 3 interceptions. That was enough to earn him Liberty District Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second time.

While he has yet to play a poor game this season, Wilson has often been overlooked in the Northern Virginia quarterback scene; a great performance, let alone a win, against Westfield could change all that in a heartbeat.

Westfield has returned to Championship form, which is unsurprising considering their stunning loss in the 2018 playoffs can certainly be attributed (at least in part) to the loss of QB Noah Kim due to injury. As good as ever, the future Michigan State Spartan has amassed over 2,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns – all in spite of the fact that his offense often takes over with great field position. Kim received Concorde District Offensive Player of the Year honors. The Bulldogs have also seen a glimpse of their offensive future in the form of RB Mikall LeGall, who has gained 894 rushing yards and scored 23 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore.

In last year’s playoffs, Westfield won the meeting between these schools, beating Yorktown 49-6 in the opening round. This Patriots squad, though, is a much different team than they were last season. Westfield is the favorite to win the Class 6 State Championship at this point, but Yorktown should challenge them this week.

Brantley's Prediction: Yorktown 17, Westfield 26

Matt Hatfield Says: Westfield 30-13
VHSL-Reference.com Says: Westfield 35-7
Coach Ed Young Says: Westfield 33-14

 

[matthew328826]

Yorktown will receive the ball first from their own 20-yard line to get things going. They don't wast any time attacking as Max Patterson hauls in a big pass from Grant Wilson into Westfield territory.

 

[matthew328826]

A great drive for Yorktown, using up clock and they converted a pair of third downs on that series. One of them was a 3rd & 3 with Wilson doing a nifty job of using his feet.

Westfield nearly had a goal-line stand... but Wilson was smart, using the tight end drag and the fake to go right and then find his receiver on the other side.

 

[matthew328826]

Looks like we might have a high-scoring affair today. Yorktown's defense, giving up less than 10 points a game, came out strong in forcing a 3rd & 11 on the third play from scrimmage for the Bulldogs. That's when Avery Howard - the off-season transfer from Stonewall Jackson in Manassas - had his first big catch on a 22-yarder.

Howard's speed was put to great use on the wheel route that scored the touchdown.

Which defense will now make the first stand?

 

[matthew328826]

Westfield's defense forces and 3 and out. On Yorktown's first play from their own 35 to begin the second series, Grant Wilson was dropped on a sack. Combining for that were junior linebacker C.J. Hoffman and junior defensive end Elijah Tarlton. Two plays later on third down, it's senior llinebacker Ryan Moses with the sack.

Following the punt, Westfield gets the ball back at their own 47 with 26 seconds to go in the opening frame.

 

[matthew328826]

Uncle Mo - that's momentum folks - is clearly now on the side of Kyle Simmons' Westfield Bulldogs.

 

[matthew328826]

Westfield increases its lead to 14-7 with 9:12 to play until half-time. It's the future Michigan State Spartan Noah Kim with his 2nd touchdown pass of the half.

 

[matthew328826]

Kim and company strike again. Whether he's throwing it to Alex Richards, Avery Howard, Harrison St. Germain or someone else, he continues to produce.

Some wondered about the playmakers without Eugene Asante (UNC) in the backfield or Taylor Morin (Wake Forest) at receiver - both of whom are playing in the ACC. The offensive line is giving him time, particularly the right side with Carson Saint Germain and Thad Palmer, and he's in full command.

 

[matthew328826]

Ticking under 2 minute to go in the first half, Yorktown is on the move and at midfield. Grant Wilson finds Max Patterson on the shovel pass, stopped by Isaiah McClain and Michaia Green of Westfield. Wilson uncorks a deeper pass and finds favorite target Patterson to move the chains... until a holding penalty pushes the Patriots back to the 48 of Westfield.

Wilson's 2nd & 8 pass is too high for his intended receivers. Coach Kyle Simmons of Westfield will use a time-out before third down with 43 seconds left in the half and his Bulldogs ahead by two touchdowns at 21-7.

 

[matthew328826]

Westfield's defense is doing a solid job of limiting the big play, forcing Yorktown to take the underneath chunks. It worked on the first series, but the Bulldogs have mixed their coverage and pressures to keep the Patriots off balanced.

Noah Kim gains 6 on a QB keeper and Mikal Legall loses his balance on the next run, otherwise he might've put Westfield in field goal range. That will bring us to half-time.

 

[matthew328826]

 

[matthew328826]

Back with 2nd half action shortly...

 

[matthew328826]

Apologies on the lack of consistent stats as the jersey numbers for Yorkown - wearing the white unis and very light sky blue numerals - have been extremely difficult to read today. We'll give you our best try though.

The opening kickoff by Yorktown was recovered by the Patriots as the Bulldogs didn't look ready and now golden field position for the visitors. They have it at the Westfield 23 to begin the 3rd period with a chance to cut into the deficit.

 

[matthew328826]

Early 3rdQ - Grant Wilson's holding his shoulder as he comes off the field following the sack by Michaia Green of Westfield on 3rd & 9 from the Bulldogs 11. Yorktown QB will get looked at ... and the field goal try of 30 yards is coming.

It's blocked - Avery Howard gets it for Westfield. The Bulldogs take over at their own 20.

 

[matthew328826]

Boy, Westfield looks like a different team from the opening period in the last two quarters as their offense - particularly the running game with sophomore Mikal Legall spearheading that effort - has warmed up in a hurry.

Noah Kim hits Michael Richie for a 20-yard completion. But Legall adds runs of 15 and 21 yards to get them in Yorktown territory. On 4th & 1 though, the Yorktown defense stops the QB sneak of Kim at the 30-yard line of the Patriots. A host of white jerseys - including Donovan Mansapit, Henry Sergent and Charlie Rowe - who sacked Kim on the first play of the possession - were among those around the football.

 

[matthew328826]

New quarterback in for Yorktown as the backup - 5-10, 140 pound junior Matthew Larsen has relieved the injury started Grant Wilson, a two-time Liberty District Offensive Player of the Year who makes this Patriots attack go.

Larsen's first play is complete. A run out of I-Formation on the play before picked up a minimal gain. Yet, on 3rd & 7, the Patriots are able to draw a pass interference to get them near midfield at their own 48. We have 4:19 till half-time.

 

[matthew328826]

On 3rd & 10, the pass by Matthew Larsen to Max Patterson is complete, yet only for just 4 yards as ET Bushra stops him from moving the chains.

Westfield takes over at their own 14 following the punt.

 

[matthew328826]

Mikall Legall is starting to really run downhill and with some power, trucking over a defender and his latest 18-yard blast - just a couple plays after a 16-yard run - has Westfield inside the Yorktown 45. That Bulldogs offensive line with Alfred Darlinton, Carson Saint Germain, Thad Palmer and Kyaire Carnhan, among others, has really controlled the line of scrimmage for the last 20-25 minutes of play.

Yorktown looks spent - and they certainly had to take a mental as well as psychological blow watching Grant Wilson go out in addition to seeing that field goal get blocked.

 

[matthew328826]

One thing though that has to have Westfield fans concerned is that Legall came out after one of those punishing runs, appearing to hold his shoulder. If he's banged up or less than 100% next week - assuming the Bulldogs hold this lead and advance to see South County in the State Semis - that could be a big deal.

 

[matthew328826]

So maybe some hope and life now for Yorktown. Can they establish something on offense? That answer is no. On 3rd down, it's Isaiah McClain, the junior for Westfield, with the sack on the corner blitz. The Patriots will be punting it away.

 

[matthew328826]

This Avery Howard guy is something special. He's been a breakout standout this year for the Bulldogs. A matchup of him and Brock Spalding, the superb sophomore for South County, next week ought to be something that fans around Northern Virginia look forward to as both can make big plays in the blink of an eye.

 

[matthew328826]

Bruce Hanson's Patriots aren't throwing in the towel. What looked to be a really good kickoff return from Ta'Jaun Perry-Elem is brought back due to a penalty. Then it's Ryan Moses, the linebacker for Westfield, with an enormous tackle for loss. He's been all of the field on defense, too.

 

[matthew328826]

Shanks getting some valuable playing time, filling in for Legall. The status of Legall and his effectiveness will be interesting to see next week. Also have yet to see Westfield's stud defender - Concorde District Defensive Player of the Year Max Ahiakpo - in action either.

 

[matthew328826]

Westfield assistant Pete Bendorf's son - senior safety Jake Bendorf - makes a tackle for loss to bring up 2nd & 11 for Yorktown. The Patriots had negative yards rushing in this 2nd half before this series. Pius Altubire and Ta'Jaun Perry-Elem have yet to get much going on the ground.

Much of it has been the way the Westfield defensive front has caused break downs with their penetration. They don't have that towering defensive lineman like a Nolan Cockrill, who's now at Army. This is more of an undersized, yet very fit, agile group that rallies well to the ball.

A long completion from backup Matthew Larsen to senior Owen O'Neill is called back on a penalty. Nonetheless, getting his feet wet should help as he battles for the gig as full-time starter since Gratnt Wilson will be graduating.

Yorktown punts from their own 39. It will take a bounce and land at the 22 of Westfield with 4:03 remaining.

 

[matthew328826]