West won an offensive battle on the road against Fort Zumwalt South 38-28. The Longhorns scored 17 points in the first four minutes of the game. Senior running back Nick Lewis scored on a 68-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game to give the Horns an early lead.
“It took a team effort to win that game. We executed on offense when we had needed too. The key was jumping out to an early lead and is something we have to continue to do in these tougher ball games,” junior linebacker Drew Seers said.
The Longhorns erupted for 402 yards of total offense. Seer’s recorded career high three touchdowns on the day while Lewis added two more on the ground.
“The games we have won this year have been because of our running game. When we run the ball effectively we usually end up on top. It is important we keep on running the ball well which will open up or passing game too,” senior offensive lineman Brian Loomis said.
Junior quarterback Jack Martin threw a 35-yard strike for the second touchdown of the game. Martin now has 987 passing yards and seven touchdowns on the year.
“No one had us winning that game. No one believed in us except ourselves. We were the better football team on that field and it showed on the scoreboard. We have to take our momentum from this game into the next one,” junior defensive lineman Caleb Carswell said.
With three minutes left in the game, junior safety Tyrice Hines made a hit to knock the ball free from a South Receiver.
“Creating turnovers has to be a top priority for our team going into next week. We play our best football when our defense plays with that physicality,” senior linebacker Evan Shukers said.
This was the first district football game West has won in ten years.
“It was a huge win for our program and community. It is exciting that we are playing our best football at the end of the year. All of the hard work and struggles we have experienced as a unit are starting to turn into wins. It is a great step for our team,” senior fullback Brandyn McMurry said.
West travels to Parkway North on Friday, Oct. 30, for the second round of the district playoffs. North is coming off of a 70-6 first round win against Holt-Wentzville.
“We need to play with minimal mistakes, especially as we continue farther into the playoffs. Coach Duncan always expresses the importance of being fundamentally sound and it is something we need to continue to improve on,” senior cornerback Scott McKnight said.