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After a 2 day postponement, the wicked teams of the West finally took the football field despite sloppy conditions. West Milford played host to West Side, but the Highlanders' defense made sure their guests didn't enjoy their visit. Multiple sacks and key turnovers were the story as West Milford swarmed the Roughriders' explosive offense.
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Led by defensive captain Will Weaver, West Milford took a shutout into the fourth quarter by producing constant pressure up front and creating multiple turnovers. Linebacker Matt Smith stripped the ball away from a West Side runner and ran it back for a touchdown. "I saw (my teammates) holding him up. I stripped the ball and didn't hear a whistle so I figured I'd just keep going," he said. Smith also had an interception in the red zone to keep West Side in check.
West Side put up 12 points in the final minutes of the game in a last chance effort to even the score. With the game apparently in hand, West Milford almost lost control by throwing an interception in the red zone on a crucial 3rd and 1 play. West Side came back and instantly turned that turnover into 6 points on a 97-yard touchdown pass, but failed on the conversion which would have made it a one-possession game.
West Side recovered the ensuing onside kick, but couldn't produce anything as they were shut down by back to back sacks from defensive end Kyle Donnelly. After taking over on downs, West Milford ran out the clock to preserve the sports victory.
The dominant defensive effort pleased West Milford coach Shawn Poppe. "Our defense played good shutout ball. That's the way we like to play, nice and aggressive." West Milford kept the football game simple by establishing the run game and preventing turnovers in the wet conditions.
The Highlanders travel to Passaic Valley next Saturday for an afternoon game.
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