On a brisk Friday night in Syracuse, the ITC Eagles solidified their top spot in the Class B West Division, defeating the Westhill Warriors 32-12. The victory, fueled by a spectacular three-touchdown performance from receiver Nyquan Gilbert, boosted ITC’s record to 6-1. The loss dealt a severe blow to Westhill’s playoff aspirations, dropping them to a 2-5 record in a game where missed opportunities proved costly for the Warriors.
A Fast and Tricky Start for the Eagles
ITC set an aggressive tone from their very first possession. After the Eagles’ defense forced a quick punt from Westhill, the offense took the field and wasted no time making a statement.
On just their second play, running back Samir Salamm Jennings-Bey took a handoff and threw a surprise toss-pass downfield. Wide receiver Nyquan Gilbert tracked the ball perfectly, securing the catch and racing 50 yards for the opening touchdown. This trick play caught the Westhill defense completely off guard and gave ITC an immediate 8-0 lead. The play showcased the creativity and confidence of an ITC team looking to dominate the division.
Westhill Fights Back but Squanders Key Chances
Westhill demonstrated resilience, answering ITC’s opening score with a methodical drive of their own. Quarterback Elijah Welch led the Warriors down the field, and running back Dominic Vitale capped it off with a two-yard touchdown run, narrowing the score to 8-6 after a failed two-point conversion.
The second quarter saw both teams exchange blows. ITC running back Ryan Brown added to the Eagles’ lead with a powerful two-yard touchdown run. However, the defining moment of the first half came on Westhill’s subsequent drive. The Warriors marched all the way to ITC’s two-yard line, but a fourth-down pass from Welch to Vitale fell incomplete in the end zone. This turnover on downs was a critical missed opportunity that shifted the momentum firmly back to ITC heading into halftime with a 14-6 lead.
Gilbert’s Dominance Seals the Victory
The second half belonged to Nyquan Gilbert. He started the third quarter by making a crucial catch at the two-yard line, setting up another ITC touchdown that extended the lead to 20-6. While Westhill managed to score again on a deep pass from Welch to Brayden Golembeski, cutting the deficit to 20-12, a blocked extra point kept them two scores behind.
From there, Gilbert took over completely. His performance in the final quarter was nothing short of game-breaking.
- He scored his second touchdown of the night after a Westhill fumble in their own territory.
- He delivered the final blow with a stunning 82-yard catch and run down the sideline for his third score.
- His three touchdowns were a direct response to a loss against Westhill the previous year.
“I wasn’t trying to go down,” Gilbert said of his long touchdown run. “I knew today I had to play with a chip on my shoulder.” His explosive plays effectively put the game out of reach for the Warriors.
Game Scoring Summary
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITC | 8 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 32 |
| Westhill | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
What This Means for Both Teams’ Playoff Pictures
This victory is massive for the ITC Eagles. The win keeps them at the top of the West Division and sets up a monumental clash against Indian River. According to coach Rayquan Pride-Green, a victory in that game would secure the school’s first-ever number one seed in the playoffs, highlighting the high stakes of their upcoming matchup.
For Westhill, the path forward is much more challenging. The loss puts their postseason hopes in serious jeopardy. The Warriors showed flashes of strong play but were ultimately undone by turnovers and an inability to capitalize in the red zone. They will need to win out and get some help to have any chance of making the playoffs.
