Centreville Wildcats hosted the Westfield Bulldogs for their final home game of the 2007 season and suffered a heartbreaking loss with a final score of 33 to zero. Wildcats battled hard but failed to score points against the cross-town rivals. Still, the results of Centreville’s season earn them a spot in post-season play. Varsity Wildcats will travel to their first playoff game next Friday, November 9 when they meet West Springfield.

The Crowd, the Buzz, and the Babies?

Welcome to Trussell Stadium where, every other year, a mass of Centreville and Westfield fans descend upon the bleachers for this cross-town rivalry. For the 2007 contest, some considered the match-up to be lopsided, but after the Wildcat upset over Chantilly on Monday night a question mark was in the air. The evening started with the annual Senior Night celebration with no less than 60 seniors honored with their parents. As Seniors and families lined-up for the fun, the scoreboard displayed baby pictures of the football players in a “live” gallery created by Jarrod Wronski of SportsAnnouncing.com (click to see some recent press coverage). Want to see the baby pictures? We have them here as part of our annual “Beautiful Baby” feature – click this to see that.

National Anthem-itis

A small technical difficulty prevented the national anthem from blasting through the P.A. system, but that’s not a problem. Fired-up fans on the Westfield began to assist the Wildcat Chorus and were immediately joined by the Centreville side of the field. Everyone was singing the anthem that was probably heard all the way to the White House. It was contagious — fans, families, band members, cheerleaders and players all belted out the Star Spangled Banner in a fun, and moving experience for all those within ear-shot. Fans are fired-up and everybody is ready for some football as the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad blasts its airhorn to boost heart rates just a teensy bit higher.

That’s One

Now it’s time for some football. Centreville won the toss and elected to defer their reception to the second half of the game. Westfield received the kick and returns the ball to their 24-yard line. On the next play, Bulldogs launch a long pass that ends in a touchdown. Their extra point attempt pings off the right upright and bounces outside to the turf – no good. After just 17-seconds of game time the score is now Westfield 6, Centreville zero.

And Another

The Wildcat’s first drive ends in a punt. Bulldogs work their next possession down the field and find success with a 40-yard field goal, boosting the score to Westfield 9, Centreville zero.

And Again

Centreville took possession of the ball and began a plague of penalties. The loss of yardage from penalties finds David Toth looking to pass the ball from the end zone, when he gets smacked by a Westfield defender, knocking the ball loose which is recovered by the Bulldogs in the endzone — another touchdown for Westfield. Centreville earns another penalty during the extra point, which is good, and with 7:36 still to play in the first quarter, the score is now Westfield 16, Centreville zero.

Whoops, There Goes Another

The Wildcat offense is on the field again and gaining some traction. A lateral attempt hits the turf and the Bulldog defense recovers, taking control of the ball with 4:48 still to play in the first quarter of the game. Five plays later they run the ball into the end zone for another Westfield touchdown. The extra point is good and Centreville receives another penalty flag while the score climbs to Westfield 23, Centreville zero.

Wildcats take control of the ball and begin a nice, long drive. David Toth completes passes to Courtlan Whiting, Richie Staggers and Darryl Hamilton that include two first downs for the Wildcats. Momentum slips away and Centreville must punt the ball. Westfield completes three plays before the quarter ends with the scoreboard glowing Westfield 23, Centreville zero.

The Bulldog drive ends in a punt, and Centreville brings their offense back onto the field. Andrew Morgan gains a first down with a 12-yard run. Toth completes a pass to Courtlan Whiting, but the attempt is not enough as the Wildcats punt the ball. Westfield begins a long drive that will be disrupted, a number of times, by the Wildcats’ Eric Gray. On the fourth play of the drive Gray tumbles through the offense and sacks the Bulldog quarterback. Five plays later Gray reaches up and intercepts a Westfield pass attempt – Wildcat ball! There is a flag after the play that goes against Centreville, but the Wildcat drive begins. After more than three minutes of game time and eight plays, Centreville must punt. Bulldogs finish a quick drive with a successful field goal at the very end of the first half boosting their score to 26 over Centreville’s zero.

Half Time Honors and Entertainment

CVHS Director of Student Activities Jimmy Sanabria recognized two SYA Athletes of the Week as he awards medals and prizes to Andy Balberde (SYA 95C) and Ryan Barnes (SYA 85C). Balberde ran for a key touchdown, made a number of unassisted tackles, and had a great game this past week. Barnes is a leader of his team, averages close to 100 yards per game and is one of the leading tacklers on defense. Congratulations to both of the future Wildcats. Andy and Ryan then enjoyed a photo opportunity with the Wildcat Varsity Cheerleaders in front of all the Wildcat fans in the bleachers. The marching band then took the field to entertain everyone followed by the Wildcat Dance Team. Wrapping things up for half time was Jarrod Wronski, way up in the booth, as he was spinning tunes that got fans and cheerleaders dancing in the streets… well, the bleachers and track, anyway.

Good News, Bad News, and More Good News

Wildcats begin the second half with Calder Street grabbing the kicked ball and running to the 7 yard line. The Centreville offensive drive sees a complete pass to Courtlan Whiting for a first down followed by a gain of 5 yards on the ground by David Toth running a keeper. On the next play, the Centreville pass is tipped and intercepted by Westfield, and they run the ball into the end zone for another Bulldog touchdown. The extra point is good, the score is now Westfield 33, Centreville zero. Here’s the good news — Bulldogs won’t score another point for the remainder of the game. Bad news — neither do the Wildcats. But wait — there is more good news! Centreville Wildcats have earned a spot in post-season play. On Friday, November 9, the Wildcats will travel to West Springfield High School to meet the Spartans in a first-round game of the Division playoffs. Game time is 7:30PM on Friday, and it’s a quick drive to West Springfield. Come out and cheer on our Wildcats as they enjoy some post-season football action!

Senior Night Photos

The final home game of every season is celebrated as Senior Night. For 2007 the evening recognized 60 Seniors from the football team, their managers and trainers, the cheerleaders and the marching band. Click this to see our fabulous photos of parents and kids of the Class of 2008.

Game Photos, too!

Whenever Centreville hosts the folks from Westfield the gathering is crazy. 2007 was no exception and we preserve the moment in a new photo gallery. Click this to see pics from the game, pre-game hoopla, half-time festivities and all the wacky fans that filled the bleachers. Stay tuned for more as our photo correspondents gather their pixels and we’ll post ‘em for your viewing pleasure!