Westfield advances: Faulk, Powers and Kirkley lead Hornets past Brookwood

Coach Rob Fitzpatrick and the Westfield Hornets were fortunate to have a first round bye, but the Hornets are more than accustomed to the postseason. The Westfield School has gained momentum heading into the 2021 GISA State Playoffs. The Westfield Hornets have won over 18 region championships and two GISA State titles during the team’s reign in central Georgia. Currently, Westfield has an 8-2 record and sports a 2-1-region record, as the Hornets are the second seed to come from region 4-AAA in GISA. 

The second round of the GISA State AAA Playoffs was held in Perry at The Westfield School. The Hornets hosted the 5-5 Brookwood Warriors from Thomasville. Unlike the Hornets, the Warriors went undefeated in their respected region, with a 3-0 record. The Brookwood Warriors have won two out of three road contests during their 2021 campaign. Though the Brookwood Warriors are not a great road team, The Westfield Hornets have an exceptional home record. Currently, the Warriors are 3-1 at home and 4-1 on the road this season. The Brookwood Warriors have allowed 327 points on defense this season. The high scoring Westfield offense has scored 380 points this season.

The Hornets’ defense has continued to make huge strides; furthermore, the Hornets have allowed 283 points on defense this season. Hunter Kirkley, Porter Faulk, Ryan Powers and Noah Blackmon have led the Westfield offensive attack. These stat patters have helped the Hornets score 38 points per game. Likewise, the Brookwood Warriors has a habit of not scoring until they are already trailing in the game, which is what happened on November 19 in Perry. Penalties were a factor for the Westfield Hornets, as they were flagged 12 times throughout this playoff game. After a scoreless first quarter, the Westfield Hornets crossed into the end zone twice in the second quarter. These quick touchdowns would give the Westfield School a commanding 14-7 lead, as both team headed into halftime. The Hornets offensive attack with Faulk, Powers, Kirkley and Blackmon would not slow down in the second half. The Westfield Hornets scored on their opening three possessions and led 35-14 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Brookwood Warriors scored 27 points in the last quarter, but the Warrior defense allowed two Westfield touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Brookwood Warriors fell short in round two, 49-41. The Warriors allotted 519 yards of total offense in only 82 plays. Westfield’s offense totaled 482 yards in just sixty-one plays.

Stat leaders for the Westfield Hornets include Porter Faulk, who had 18 carries for 85 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Faulk was also very active in the passing game, out-of-the-backfield. Porter Faulk had five receptions for sixty-nine yards and another two touchdowns, to help the Hornets passing attack. Faulk also scored four total touchdowns and generated 154 yards of total offense for the Westfield Hornets. Also active in the Hornets win was Hunter Kirkley. Kirkley was twenty for 34 passing; Hunter Kirkley threw for five touchdowns and 342 yards. Hunter Kirkley was his normal self in the Hornets running game, as he allotted for six carries and thirty-nine yards. Ryan Powers and Noah Blackmon were very active for the Westfield Hornet offense. These two athletes combined for 13 receptions, 256 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Powers led the Hornets with eight receptions, 184 yards and two touchdowns. These stat patters helped Westfield control the flow of the game with a twenty-six minute time-of-possession. Going into round one, the Westfield Hornets have recorded 16 passing touchdowns, 28 rushing touchdowns and their elusive offense averages 356 yards per game. The Westfield defensive front has come up big all regular season. The Hornet defense has recorded nine sacks, eight interceptions and recovered 11 fumbles this season. Hunter Kirkley is 89 of 148, and he has thrown for 1,667 yards, twenty-one touchdowns and seven interceptions. Faulk and Kirkley are the leading rushers for the Hornets. Faulk has rushed for 1,008 yards on 121 carries. Kirkley has rushed for 702 yards on ninety-one carries. Ryan Powers and Noah Blackmon are leading the Westfield receiving core. Powers has 647 yards receiving, while Blackmon has recorded 41 receptions for 764 yards.

The Westfield Hornets are one of the four Houston County football teams that are still enjoying the post season. On Friday, November 26, The Warner Robins Demons, Northside Eagles and the Perry Panthers are playing in their State Quarterfinals playoff game, as well. The Demons will play in Gray, Georgia against the Jones County Greyhounds. The Panthers will play in Perry as they prepare for the Cedartown Bulldogs. The Northside Eagles will be on the road against the Langston Hughes Panthers (Fairburn, Georgia). The Hornets of Westfield and the 10-1 Patriots from Pinewood Christian Academy (Bellville, Georgia) will compete in the final four round of the GISA State Playoffs, on Friday night in Perry. The Pinewood Patriots score on average, 43 points per game, so expect another high-scoring game. The winner of this final-four game will play the winner of Tift-Area Academy and John Milledge Academy, in the GISA State Title game. All kick-offs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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