The W.F. West football team survived a late rally from Hudson’s Bay on Saturday, as the Bearcats prevailed 35-14 in a home 2A district crossover game.
The Bearcats bolted to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter as quarterback Gage Brumfield scored a 57-yard touchdown with his legs on their opening drive and a 2-yard rushing score after the snap on the Eagles’ punt sailed over the punter’s head and was recovered at the 2.
After several minutes of sloppy play in the muddy conditions, the Bearcats extended their lead thanks to running back Declan McDonald’s 72-yard touchdown reception from Brumfield. McDonald made several would-be Eagles tacklers miss on the run along the right sideline. The Bearcats took a 21-0 lead into halftime after running back Tucker Land lost a fumble in the final seconds of the second quarter.
W.F. West’s defense held the Eagles to just 83 total yards of offense in the first half, a total that was hurt by three penalties called on Hudson’s Bay’s offense.
“I thought our defense was lights out,” Bearcats head coach Dan Hill said. “They did a great job flying to the football as a unit. I thought it was one of our best defensive performances this year for sure.”
McDonald continued to find cracks in the Eagles’ defense as he scored from 70 yards out on the first play of the Bearcats’ second drive of the third quarter. The score came one drive after a potential 74-yard touchdown pass from Brumfield to McDonald was negated by a holding penalty.
The Bearcats scored their final points of the night off of an Anthony Isenhower interception that set them up at the Eagles 15-yard line. Brumfield connected with Carson White for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 35-0.
According to Hill, the 35-point deficit was comfortable enough for the Bearcats to insert some of their junior varsity defenders into the game. The Eagles scored their first points late in the third quarter, capitalizing on a Bearcats turnover on downs and finding the end zone five plays later on a 7-yard run. They temporarily stole the momentum with a 93-yard touchdown run that followed another W.F. West failed fourth-down attempt. The score closed the margin to 35-14 and caused the visiting Hudson’s Bay crowd to begin chanting “This ain’t over.”
The Eagles whiffed on their chance to make it a two-possession game, spoiling a W.F. West three-and-out with a turnover on downs inside the Bearcats’ 5-yard line.
In the final minutes of the game and the Bearcats in the shadow of their own end zone, Brumfield delivered a clutch strike on second-and-long to McDonald while taking a shot from an Eagles defender.
“I honestly had no idea if he caught it or not when I was on the ground,” Brumfield said. “I saw him and trusted him to make the play even though he hadn’t looked my way yet, and I’m happy that he got it.”
“I was covered up so well that I didn’t even think he threw it to me,” McDonald said of the throw. “I looked back and saw a perfect throw to my back shoulder. I got super excited because that was pretty much the game.”
Brumfield used his legs to convert one last first down to secure the 35-14 win in the district round. He finished with 173 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air on 11 of 22 passing, as well as 64 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on 12 carries. McDonald chipped in with 80 yards on the ground and
“We just wanted it more,” Brumfield said. “As a team, we were all so hyped before the game and ready to get this win. We wanted to leave it all out there today, and it feels amazing to still be alive.”
The Bearcats advance to the round of 16 with the victory and will learn their seeding and opponent when the bracket is unveiled Sunday.
