If the Westhill football team could not be at home to mark the occasion of an undefeated regular season, the least it could do was go ruin someone else’s special night.
And the Warriors took great delight in going to Marcellus last Friday, on Homecoming, on the night the Mustangs officially dedicated its new home facility, and producing a 59-17 romp.
Not only was Westhill the outright Class B West league champions, it was also a perfect 7-0, in ideal position to grab its third Section III Class B title in four years.
All the aspects of the Warriors’ game — explosive offense, quick and opportunistic defense, flawless special teams — were present at Marcellus, especially in a flurry late in the first half that put the Mustangs away.
Already, Westhill was doing well, sporting a 21-10 lead as the second quarter wound down. Dale Ross had scored all three of his team’s touchdowns, the junior breaking loose on 41 and 30-yard sprints to the end zone in the first quarter.
Dan Fetter then joined in the fun, finding Jim Ross in the end on an 18-yard TD strike to make it 28-10, but the fun was just beginning.
Quickly, Marcellus turned it over — and Fetter again exploited the mismatch, this time going nine yards to Jim Ross and making it 35-10.
Whatever chance the Mustangs had disappeared when, on the ensuing kickoff, Marcellus fumbled — and Antwan Griffin returned it 20 yards for six more points.
Suddenly up 42-10 at the break, Westhill relaxed the rest of the way, as Carter Cywilko, a perfect seven-for-seven on extra points, added a 22-yard field goal, and Dale Ross brought home his fourth TD of the night.
Now comes the post-season. To get it started, Westhill will be at home Friday night to meet Vernon-Verona-Sherrill, the fourth-place team from Class B East, at 6:30.
After a winless campaign in 2005, the Red Devils recovered to go 4-3 this fall, a solid improvement. Still, the Warriors will be heavily favored to prevail and advance to a semifinal next weekend against Marcellus or Holland Patent.