Westfield football survives defensive battle against Terrell Academy in first round of GIAA playoffs 

PERRY — In a defensive cage match with both teams battling to move onto the second round of the GIAA playoffs, the Westfield Hornets defeated the Terrell Academy Eagles 15-6. 

Westfield (9-2) started off strong on their first drive, but were quieted by an Eagles’ defense until the fourth quarter. The Hornets’ defense rose to the occasion and consistently made crucial stops on third and fourth down throughout the night. 

Terrell Academy (6-5) struck quickly in the first quarter but was stifled the rest of the night. The Eagles threatened to break out numerous times, but the Hornets kept them in check. 

PHOTOS: See more pictures from Friday’s first-round victory.

Ty Thomas and Bryson Peachey set the tone for the night offensively for Terrell Academy, as they tag-teamed a combined 70 yards on the Eagles’ first drive, resulting in a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Thomas. 

Mason Easom returned the kickoff 22 yards, then the Hornets’ ground game took over, driving downfield to the red zone. Brayden Gay flicked an 18-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Jackson St. Clair, putting Westfield up 7-6 over Terrell Academy after the PAT was good. 

After the Hornets scored, the game turned into a defensive slugfest as both teams were on the cusp of generating momentum, but their respective defenses kept the offenses in check with a wet field and 100% humidity.

Westfield threatened to score late in the second quarter, but the field goal attempt was no good as it sailed right of the goal post. 

Early in the fourth quarter, the Hornets managed to punch the ball into the end zone after a big defensive stop. Win Hoots broke up a deep pass, which forced the Eagles to punt. The punt was blocked and recovered at the one-yard line by Michael Easom. Two plays later, Brock Johnson scampered around the right side for the touchdown. Westfield was successful on the 2-point conversion, putting their lead at 15-6 over Terrell Academy. 

Peachey and the Eagles’ offense kept the Hornets off balance in the first half when they would line up on fourth down, even in their own territory. Peachey would either pooch kick the ball or take a direct snap and run through the defensive line to get a first down. 

Neal O’Brien wreaked havoc on Terrell Academy’s backfield all night as he broke through the offensive line multiple times to stymie the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.

Russ Hiley and Hoots broke up multiple passes in the second half as the Eagles started to get desperate to move the ball up the field with the clock winding down. 

Westfield head coach Chad Campbell preached resilience and having your teammates’ backs on nights like this: “Offensively, we could not get anything going tonight, but our defense stepped up. When you have a good football team and one side doesn’t step up, the other side will, which helps you out, and that is what happened tonight.” 

“[Terrell Academy] has a good football team – their quarterback and running back gave us problems running the football,” Campbell added. “After that first series, we settled down a little bit – we bent a bit, but rose up to the challenge. I am proud of the team effort, it was a good team win.” 

The game was stopped for several minutes in the third quarter when Drew Olf went down with a leg injury. Olf was stretchered off the field, surrounded by his family with his teammates wishing him a speedy recovery. 

UP NEXT 

The Westfield Hornets will host the Deerfield-Windsor Knights (8-3) next Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.