The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
In a commanding performance, the West Central Heat (2-1) overwhelmed the Peoria Heights Patriots (0-3) with a 54-14 victory on Friday night.
The Heat’s dynamic rushing attack, led by junior running back Aidan Garner and sophomore running back Graham Kelly, proved too much for the Patriots, while senior defensive lineman Cody Wade anchored a relentless defense.
West Central set the tone early when Garner broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run, giving the Heat a 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
Peoria Heights responded with a 68-yard quarterback sneak by Gabriel Lucas Shaver on third-and-inches, taking an 8-6 lead after a successful two-point try.
The Heat quickly regained control. Garner struck again with a 22-yard touchdown run, and sophomore quarterback Colton Spence added two on a QB keeper to put West Central ahead 14-8.
The Heat defense stepped up late in the first quarter when Kelly recovered a fumble at their own 34-yard line, halting a Peoria Heights drive.
The second quarter saw West Central pull away. Garner exploded for a 45-yard touchdown run, and a successful two-point try by Kelly extended the lead to 22-8 with 9:57 left in the half.
Peoria Heights answered with a 35-yard touchdown run by Henry Hanson, narrowing the gap to 22-14 after a failed two-point attempt.
However, the Heat responded decisively. Kelly powered in a 25-yard touchdown run, and a two-point conversion by Garner pushed the score to 30-14.
With 1:40 left in the half, Kelly’s strip sack and fumble recovery set up a 21-yard touchdown pass from Spence to senior Cameron Robinson, making it 36-14 at halftime after a sack by Wade ended Peoria Heights’ final drive.
The third quarter was all West Central. After stopping Peoria Heights with a fourth-down sack by Wade and senior defensive lineman Keaton Ruebush, the Heat took over at the Patriots’ 30.
Kelly scored on a 6-yard run, pushing the lead to 42-14. The Heat’s defense continued to dominate, with Wade stopping a Peoria Heights runner short on fourth-and-3, leading to another turnover on downs.
In the fourth quarter, Peoria Heights’ offense stalled again after a holding penalty and a big hit by Wade on third down.
On fourth down, Wade intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, but a penalty nullified the score.
The Heat’s reserves finished out the game. Sophomore running back Gage Troutman broke free for a 51-yard touchdown run, and after a fumble recovery by sophomore linebacker Johnny Garner, freshman quarterback Carter Gibb added a 43-yard touchdown run, finalizing the score at 54-14 with 2:41 remaining.
Garner led the way with 184 rushing yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns, while Kelly contributed 89 yards on 13 carries, two touchdowns, and two fumble recoveries.
Spence was efficient, going 1-for-1 with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Robinson.
Wade was a force on defense, recording multiple tackles, a sack, and an interception.
West Central’s dominance on both sides of the ball was evident throughout.
The Heat improve to 2-1 and look ahead to a matchup against the 2-1 Ridgewood Spartans on Friday at 7 p.m. in Cambridge.