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Varsity Falls to Westfield 31-34

Fourth Quarter Frenzy

Published October 1 2005

Varsity Wildcats hosted their cross-town rivals, the Westfield Bulldogs, in a suburban rumble that ended with Centreville falling just short of a victory, 31 to 34. The weather was cool and crispy as the 7,300 fans filled the stadium. Folks were sporting the colors of their favorite team in all kinds of ways - clothing, signs, even body paint! The joint was jumping as kick-off time approached.

The game started slowly, with Wildcats receiving the kick-off. A quick series of plays and they punted the ball back to Westfield. The Bulldogs hit the scoreboard first with 7 points and 8:06 left to play in the first quarter. Then the Wildcats started showing their stuff. They drove down the field in a series with no less than five first-downs. Scott Behne finished Centreville's drive with a clean field goal to light-up their side of the scoreboard with 3 points to Westfield's 7 - and just 0:17 left in the first quarter.

The second quarter started slow and ended with a bang. Both offenses punted a number of times until the last four minutes of the quarter. Westfield entered the end zone with a touchdown and extra point, and only 3:49 to go in the second quarter. 60 seconds of game time later the Wildcats answered after a powerful series ending with a long Drew Dudzik pass to Cam Dohse in the end zone. Matt Spencer's extra point was good, making the tally 10 for Centreville and 14 for Westfield. The Bulldogs once again moved the ball down field and attempted a field goal, but the ball fell low and wide to the right - no good! The first half ended Centreville behind, 10 to 14.

The bleachers on both sides were completely packed with rockin' fans as the second half started. Westfield was struggling to move the ball against the stubborn Centreville defense. Another punt to the Wildcats as Cam Dohse grabs the ball, is tackled and rolls out of bounds, taking-out a photographer (she was ok) along the way! Of course, you couldn't swing a dead bulldog without hitting a photographer that night—they were absolutely everywhere. You may have thought your ears were going to bleed when the crowd roared as Brandon Davis ran the ball to the 15 yard line. That set-up Centreville's opportunity to take the lead. Dudzik completed a meticulous 18-yard pass to Cam Dohse in the right corner of the end zone. Spencer's extra point was on the mark and pushed the Wildcats into the lead with a score of 17 to 14 and 8:50 left in the third quarter.

The Wildcat defense maintained their strength in the third quarter as Westfield struggled to move the ball. The visitor's bleachers were very quiet as Centreville was able to obstruct the Bulldog rush. Westfield was relentless, however, and eventually gained some first downs toward another touchdown with just 3-seconds remaining in the quarter. Bulldogs set-up for an extra point, and had it blocked by a hurtling express train with “Colin Miller” emblazoned on its side. Centreville fans exploded into a frenzy of celebration. Still, the score switched to Westfield’s favor, 20 to 17.

Four in the Fourth

Wildcats took possession of the ball just as the third quarter ended. The fourth quarter was electric, with four touchdowns, each team taking turns claiming the lead, and a final four minute frenzy of action. Centreville shifted the quarter into high gear as Brandon Williams caught and carried the ball into the end zone with 10:33 left on the clock. Another successful extra point by Matt Spencer returned the lead to the Wildcats, 24 to 20.

A little technical malfunction on the scoreboard had the Centreville bleachers chanting “fix the scoreboard (clap-clap-clap)” as Westfield took possession of the football. Bulldog offense worked the ball down the field as the scoreboard was corrected. Westfield eventually answered the Wildcat touchdown with their own, switching the lead to the Bulldogs with a score of 27 to 24.

Frantic Final Four

The final four minutes of the game were just crazy. Wildcats took possession of the ball and worked their way down field. The Wildcat fans took a deep breath and cheered as Brandon Williams received a screen pass and added 6 to the score with a leap across the goal line. Spencer's extra point was good, again placing Centreville in the lead with a score of 31 to 27 and 2:16 remaining on the clock. Westfield answered with their own touchdown and taking the lead with 1:29 on the clock. Now the score was in the Bulldog's favor, 34 to 31.

Westfield's kick went clear into the end zone where it bounced off a Wildcat face mask and out of bounds. Now Centreville is working the middle of the field. Dudzik powers the ball over the heads of the Bulldog defense and straight into the hands of a leaping Cam Dohse at the 38 yard line. Working the clock becomes a primary objective for Centreville, as they down the ball to stop that ticking noise. With 37-seconds left, Wildcats pass up the middle. Another no-huddle and they down the ball with 27-seconds remaining. Next play sees an incomplete pass, and a flag! The penalty is on Westfield, encroachment, with a lean 22-seconds of game time available. The next play sees a pass attempted to Van Chew and another Westfield penalty - pass interference. The next play will resonate for years in the Centreville stadium. A powerful pass into the far-left corner of the end zone in the directon of Cam Dohse - but into the hands of the Westfield defender. But, was he in-bounds? Many folks nearby saw him to be outside the far-end of the zone, but the referee saw it differently—intercepted by Westfield. The Bulldog offense takes the field, and ends the game with a drop to the knee, running out the remaining 11-seconds on the clock. The game ended with a heartbreaking loss for the Wildcats and a final score of 31 to 34.

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I Gotcha Number

Wildcat statistics for the Westfield game are below. Check-out our new page of year-to-date statistics, accounting for the past five varsity games. The page also includes standings for the Concorde District.