In a high-stakes Mustangs face-off at Planet Ford Stadium, No. 2 North Shore dominated against No. 23 Westfield, clinching a resounding 45-9 victory in a non-district clash.
This marked North Shore’s second consecutive win over Westfield, with Westfield leading the series 6-5 since 2004. Notably, the teams didn’t meet during the 2020 season. The game highlighted North Shore’s dominance, boasting 23 first downs and amassing an impressive 499 yards compared to Westfield’s 102 yards.
The first half showcased North Shore’s prowess as they scored on their initial five possessions. D’Andre Hardeman and junior quarterback Kaleb Bailey showcased their skills with touchdowns, while Westfield managed their first points through a field goal by senior kicker Jonathan Dimas.
Despite Hardeman adding two more touchdowns and North Shore’s dominant rushing game totaling 273 yards, Westfield’s sole touchdown in the first half came from junior quarterback Miles Dent’s pass to Rice commit Taji Atkins.
Heading into halftime with a 31-9 lead, North Shore displayed consistency, including a field goal by Jonathan Soto. Bailey continued North Shore’s offensive onslaught with a rushing touchdown in the third quarter, while Johan Zuniga sealed the deal with a fourth-quarter touchdown.
North Shore’s impressive performance secured them the win, signaling a strong start to their season. Looking ahead, North Shore will have a bye week before commencing District 21-6A play, aiming to carry forward the momentum from their three non-district victories under head coach Willie Gaston.
On the other side, Westfield, after losing their second consecutive non-district game, plans to regroup during their bye week. They’ll gear up to face rival Spring as they open District 14-6A, seeking to rectify their performance and bounce back stronger.
Reflecting on the game, Gaston praised his team’s improvement in the second half, emphasizing the execution of routine plays. Meanwhile, Westfield’s coach, Matt Meekins, acknowledged areas for improvement and emphasized the need to analyze game footage to enhance their strategy moving forward.
Notable performances included Hardeman’s three touchdowns for North Shore and an interception by senior cornerback Lavonte Johnson, marking North Shore’s first turnover of the season. Atkins shone for Westfield, scoring their solitary touchdown and finishing with notable rushing yards.
Both teams look forward to their bye weeks as they prepare to dive into district play after clinching their respective district titles.
