The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The West Central Heat delighted a homecoming crowd with a convincing 50 to 22 victory over the Martinsville Blue Streak.
West Central kicked off to begin the game and got their chance at offense at the 7:51 mark in the first quarter.
After making a first down on their first two plays, Kaiden Droste #12 carried the mail for 46 yards to the end zone for the Heat's first score and a 6 to 0 lead. The quarter ended with the Heat on top 6 to 0 and at that point it looked like it would be a low scoring defensive battle.
The Blue Streak hit pay dirt two minutes into the 2nd quarter and took an 8 to 6 lead. The Heat had their work cut out for them and they responded in workman like fashion.
The Heat rattled off 3 consecutive first downs, then Kaiden Droste broke loose for another long run of 43 yards to put West Central up 14 to 8 with 7:20 left in the half.
Martinsville then responded with 3 plays and a punt and the rest of the quarter belonged to the Heat.
Three first-downs later Mason Carnes #8 dented the end zone from 3 yards out and with 1:44 left in the half the Heat pushed the score to 22 to 8.
The Blue Streak fumbled the ensuing kick-off and the Heat weren't quite finished.
Kaiden Droste spun off a 30-yard scoring romp and the half ended with the Heat on top 28 to 8. What looked to be a tight ball game quickly unraveled to a run-away during the 2nd quarter.
The Heat received the ball at the beginning of the 2nd half and picked up a first down before turning the ball over to Martinsville.
The Blue Streak gained 7 yards on 3 plays and the Heat defense held the line on their 4th down try and turned the ball back to the Heat offense.
Two plays later Droste scored his 4th touch down of the afternoon with a 45 yard dash and a 36 to 8 Heat lead with 8:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter. From that point on the game belonged to the Heat.
The Heat would score two more touchdowns, one by Mason Carnes, and one by Parker Meldrum #35, on their way to their 50 to 22 Homecoming victory.
Ten different players had opportunities to run the ball which gave the underclassmen valuable game experience.
Those seeing action in the backfield were:
Kaiden Droste, Devin Shaw, Parker Meldrum, Mason Carnes, Blake Cole, Zach Smith, Andy Lumbeck, Gage Stimpson, Jeremiah Gerdes, Hunter Shrader.
Kaiden Droste ended the day with 4 touchdowns and 241 yards.
Parker Meldrum gained 63 yards in 11 attempts with his 1 TD.
Mason Carnes directed the offense and gained 27 yards on 7 attempts along with his 2 TD's.
The Varsity Heat will defend their West Central 5 win and 2 loss record next Friday night, October 15th, against the Peoria Heights Patriots with the kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.