The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Evan Bell – The Quill
The 7-0 West Central Heat hosted the 2-5 Galva Wildcats for their final home game of the season Saturday night. Seniors who participated in football, golf and band were recognized before the game and the cheerleaders hosted their annual Pink Night.
The Heat took first possession of the game but stumbled out of the gate with a false start. They quickly found their footing on the next play when Mason Carnes broke through for a 54 yard score to put the Heat on the board first A sweep to Kaiden Droste for the two made the score 8-0.
The Wildcats started off with an early completion and moved the ball into Heat territory before Droste undercut a Jaxxson Meier pass and ran it back for the pick six. A successful Carnes keeper put the Heat up 16-0.
On Galva’s third drive the Heat forced and recovered a fumble. Carnes rushed for two first downs before Droste eluded a couple Wildcats for the score. Droste then found Carnes for the two pointer to put the Heat up 24-0.
The ensuing Wildcat drive ended on a failed fourth and three conversion and the Heat took over on downs. It did not take long for a few slipped tackles to lead to another Droste score. Carnes kept it on the two and the Heat went up 32-0.
Galva quickly found themselves in third and long on their next possession, and Brody Link broke through to sack Meier and make it fourth and very long. The first punt of the game was then nearly blocked by Link who once again found his way into the backfield.
The rushed punt gave the Heat the ball back at the fifty. On the first play, Carnes threw to Isiah Stephson who caught the ball over the Wildcat defender and went on to win the foot race for the touchdown. The conversion was no good so the Heat remained up 38-0, where it would remain through the end of the first quarter.
Galva once again turned the ball over on downs after a failed fake punt gave the Heat the ball back on the twenty. Parker Meldrum ran through most of the Wildcats to find the quick score. Another Carnes keeper stretched the Heat’s lead to 46-0.
Galva was able to end second quarter with a promising drive but couldn’t get closer than the one before the first half expired.
After the Heat stopped Galva on their first second half possession, the seniors came out for one final play. After which, a time out was called and the Seniors walked off and waved goodbye to the fans. The drive and the game continued on and a couple Cody Wade carries led to his first score. A fumble on the conversion kept the score 52-0.
Galva was then able to put together their first scoring drive of the night, that was capped off by Alec Gustafson stretching over the goal line. A successful misdirection to Caden Rachel made the score 52-8.
A failed onside kick gave the Heat the ball back and the Wildcats did not see it again. The Heat managed to find the end zone one more time as time ran out. Landon Winters ran in the last touchdown for the Heat and Wade converted the two to make the final score 60-8.
Though it was the Heat’s last home game, the season continues next Friday at 7pm when they travel to Amboy to take on the 7-1 Clippers.