Westfield looks to remain a powerhouse in GIAA

PERRY, Ga. — Coach Rob Fitzpatrick has helped Westfield gridiron athletes excel between the white lines. In 2021, alongside Hunter Kirkley on the offensive side were a group of the most stellar athletes. Noah Blackmon, Ryan Powers, Porter Faulk were the impact factors for the Hornets, last season. Perhaps the most notable of Hornets rising seniors is Hunter Kirkley.

In 2021, Westfield Hornets hosted the third round of the GISA state playoffs. It was in the third round where Kirkley and the Hornets fell short to Pinewood, 32-20. The Westfield Hornets recorded 18 passing touchdowns, 29 rushing touchdowns and their elusive offense averaged 356 yards per game. The Westfield defensive front also came up big all regular season. Last season, the Hornets defense recorded 10 sacks, caught eight interceptions and recovered 11 fumbles this season.

Who is the leader of the Westfield offensive attack? Hunter Kirkley finished 111 of 182 passing, as he threw for 1,977 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Westfield athlete has become a notable underrated quarterback of his class in the state of Georgia. Recently, talented dual threat quarterback announced his first scholarship offer. Hunter Kirkley also became Westfield’s current single-game passing yard leader and holds the school record for individual touchdowns. Both of these records were broken last season. Alongside 2,683 all purpose yards, Kirkley helped the Hornets score 37 total touchdowns last fall.

Last fall, Faulk and Kirkley were the leading rushers for the Westfield Hornets. Faulk rushed for 1,048 yards on 132 carries and Hunter Kirkley rushed for 706 yards on 98 carries. Ryan Powers and Noah Blackmon were the top leaders from Westfield ‘s receiving core. Powers finished with 758 yards receiving, while Blackmon completed his season and recorded 52 receptions for 921 yards.

On another note, The Westfield Hornets Football team will be amongst the first to become members and to compete in the GIAA. The Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) went through some structural changes over the last six months. What was formerly known, as the GISA will now be referred to as the GIAA.

The Georgia Independent Athletic Association (GIAA) will be the home of Georgia’s private schools thru 2024. Perry’s lone private school, The Westfield School, will compete within the GIAA. The Hornet football team is now a member of District 5 and will compete in the GIAA playoffs in class AAAA.

This fall, The Westfield Hornets will travel to Albany in their first contest. On August 19, the Hornets will faceoff against Deerfield-Windsor with a 7:30 p.m. kick-off. Afterwards, Westfield will have four other road contests, as the Hornets will travel to Southland in Americus, Strong Rock in Locust Grove, Cochran and lastly, Columbus.

At the Hornets nest, Westfield will host Stratford on August 26. On September 9, the Westfield Hornets will host Tift area Academy. On the following Friday night, Mount de Sales will travel to Perry for Westfield’s homecoming game. October 14, the Hornets will play Heritage and the following Friday will feature senior night. Brookstone will compete against the Hornets on senior night.

A game that really comes as a surprise is an away game against GHSA’s Bleckley County, in Cochran. After speaking with Westfield Athletic Director, Chip Champion, I have found that this will bring a great deal of joy to the Westfield family. The cross over game will also bring fans from Cochran and those from Perry. There is definitely a bright future ahead for the Westfield Hornets.

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