A sweet homecoming: Hornets put on a show against Terrell Acadmey

It’s rare for a team to play its first home game in October like the Westfield Hornets did. After spending the first three games of the season on the road, the Hornets didn’t disappoint in their homecoming last Friday as they balled on an undefeated Terrell Academy.

The Hornets went on to give Terrell Academy its first L of the season with a 56-35 win. Westfield came out with guns blazing and hooped out to a 21-6 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Hornets maintained a comfortable lead throughout the night and are now 3-1 on the season.

“(This win) allows (the players) to believe in what we’re doing,” said Hornets head coach Rob Fitzpatrick about the team’s building confidence. “You know, with a new offensive coordinator (Gregory Robinson), he’s done a great job. The kids are buying into the system, learning the system each week, they’re getting better and better. Defensively we’re playing great, we’ve got a lot of returners from last year. Coach (Kevin) Kinsler put a system in last year and our guys are kind of getting to where they can do some extra things now because they understand it.”

The Hornets had 626 total yards of offense against Terrell on Friday and swag-filled junior quarterback Hunter Kirkley had a field day along with a couple of his teammates. Senior running back Porter Faulk gained 160 yards on the ground and scored two rushing touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Noah Blackmon went off with seven catches for 193 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Both of Blackmon’s touchdown plays were at least 70 yards long.

Kirkley went 15-22 passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns; he also rushed for 181 yards and three more touchdowns to make a player of the game performance. Kirkley’s ability to make special plays shined on his 54-yard touchdown run in the second quarter when he juked two separate defenders to make for a great Lamar Jackson impression. Kirkely is a new addition to the squad this season and has asserted himself as one of the key players on the roster.

“Hunter’s been great, man,” said Fitzpatrick. “He’s really been receptive to the offense and he can do a lot of things. He’s a threat with his feet and throwing the ball. He’s been a good piece in the puzzle for us and we’re excited to have him.”

Up next, Westfield is back on the road again to play Briarwood Academy (5-2). Last year, these two teams tied in anticlimactic fashion, and the battle-tested Hornets haven’t forgotten that game.

“We’re fixing to travel and we’re used to traveling since the start of the season so that’s not going to be any big deal to us,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’re ready to go out there and get a little revenge from last year, I know our guys will be fired up and we’re excited.”

Westfield travels to play Briarwood Academy on Friday, Oct. 8 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

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