The stakes were high as Westhill’s Warriors took on the ITC Eagles on a brisk Friday night in Syracuse. Westhill, fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive, came into the game with a 2-4 record, while ITC entered as favorites, holding a strong 5-1 standing and leading the West Division of Class B. With both teams motivated, the atmosphere was electric, and the action on the field lived up to the hype.
ITC Strikes Early with Trick Play
The game opened with the ITC Eagles winning the coin toss and deferring possession. Westhill’s first drive of the game failed to gain traction, forcing them to punt. ITC wasted no time taking advantage of their opportunity. On just the second play from scrimmage, ITC running back Samir Salamm Jennings-Bey executed a surprise toss-pass play. The ball soared high before being plucked out of the air by wide receiver Nyquan Gilbert, who turned the catch into a 50-yard touchdown. The Eagles jumped to an early 8-0 lead, showing off their ability to mix up their offense and keep Westhill on their heels.
Westhill Responds, but Misses Opportunities
Westhill responded quickly. Quarterback Elijah Welch, known for his dual-threat abilities, led the Warriors down the field. A moment of near disaster came when running back Dominic Vitale almost fumbled the handoff, but he managed to recover and punch the ball in for a touchdown from two yards out. Though Westhill failed to convert for two points, they closed the gap to 8-6.
Both teams traded blows in the second quarter. ITC’s Ryan Brown extended their lead, powering his way through Westhill’s defense for a two-yard touchdown, making it 14-6. On the next drive, Westhill found themselves just two yards from the end zone. Welch rolled out and aimed for Vitale in the corner, but the running back couldn’t haul in the pass, turning the ball over on downs. It was a missed chance that would haunt the Warriors as the game unfolded.
The Game Turns in ITC’s Favor
The second half opened with ITC in possession and looking to build on their lead. Quarterback Tyquanne Harris scrambled to make a play and sent a long pass downfield. Despite a near interception, Gilbert came up big once again, catching the ball at the two-yard line and setting up another Eagles’ touchdown. ITC extended their lead to 20-6.
Westhill had a glimmer of hope when Harris threw an interception to Brody Clayton, who made a clutch play to give the Warriors another chance. Welch capitalized with a deep pass to Brayden Golembeski, who made an impressive leaping grab to score, closing the gap to 20-12. However, a blocked extra point left Westhill trailing by eight points as the third quarter neared its end.
Nyquan Gilbert Takes Over
The final quarter was all about ITC’s star wide receiver Nyquan Gilbert. Following a Westhill fumble in their own red zone, Gilbert scored his second touchdown of the game, widening the lead to 28-12. His dominance didn’t end there. Gilbert then delivered the highlight of the night, taking a pass 82 yards down the sideline for his third touchdown, effectively sealing the game for ITC. His performance on the night — three touchdowns and a game-breaking 82-yard score — was a fitting revenge for last year’s loss against Westhill.
Reflecting on his big night, Gilbert said, “I wasn’t trying to go down. I was trying to get into that end zone. I knew today I had to play with a chip on my shoulder.” His effort certainly paid off, as the Eagles cruised to a 32-12 victory.
A Look Ahead for ITC
The victory solidifies ITC’s position at the top of the West Division in Class B and sets the stage for a pivotal matchup against Indian River, the division leaders. ITC coach Rayquan Pride-Green emphasized the significance of the upcoming game in the huddle, telling his team that a win would secure the school’s first-ever number one seed in the playoffs.
For Westhill, the loss puts them in a difficult position as they fight to keep their postseason dreams alive. Despite moments of promise, missed opportunities and turnovers proved costly. The Warriors will need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their season.
Meanwhile, ITC can ride the momentum of Gilbert’s outstanding performance and prepare for the biggest game of their season against Indian River. With a potential playoff number one seed on the line, the stakes have never been higher for the Eagles.