The Fairfield Eagles played close for the first half, but the Palestine Westwood Panthers pulled away in the second half to clinch District 9-3A Division I.
The Panthers were without the services of sophomore quarterback Kavian Bryan, sitting in the first half from an ejection in the week’s previous game. Kasyn Dial ran the offense in the first half and senior running back Jon Denman took the rushing workload to hold the first half lead.
Westwood forced a quick three and out and they took their first possession at their 36. Denmon converted on fourth down with a four-yard run and later in the drive, he powered through the defense with a 41 yard run to the Fairfield four. David Russell finished the drive with the touchdown run and the Panthers took the early 7-0 lead.
The Eagles marched from midfield to inside Panther 20 before junior quarterback Kohl Collins was sacked on fourth down. In the first minute of the second quarter, Denman took the handoff and raced 84 yards for the second score of the game. The extra point was good, and the Panthers led 14-0 with 11:09 remaining in the half.
Fairfield answered quickly on the return. Jason Brackens fielded the kick and made a quick turn and found the corner for the 67-yard touchdown return. Kieran King kicked the extra point, and the Panther lead was 14-7.
Westwood followed the kickoff return with one of their own. After the Brackens return who was number zero, the Panther returner, Chris Carter, also number zero, returned the kick 70 yards to match the touchdown and restore the lead back to 14 at 21-7.
The Eagle offense got into a solid rhythm and cut into the Panther lead. Collins had a pair of runs for a first down, and adding to that was a pair from Jaylon Shed for another first down. On first down inside the Panther 30, Collins passed to Connor Colvert for the touchdown. A bobble on the hold caused the point after to fail and the Westwood lead was 21-13.
Fairfield got a stop on defense with plays from Dylan McGowan, Brayden Thornburg and Brackens. The drive started at their 20 and Collins converted a key third down with a 47 yard connection with Cal Wilson. The final third down conversion ended with a 29-yard strike to Finn Smith for the touchdown and missed conversion cut the lead to 21-19.
Westwood put the lead to eight at the half on a score in the final minute of the second quarter. Denman scored his third touchdown of the half on a five-yard score and the missed extra point put the Panthers ahead with 23 seconds remaining in the half.
Fairfield would have one more shot in the first half and scored on a big play. Smith hauled in a pass and completed a 77-yard touchdown in the final seconds. Westwood held a 27-25 halftime lead.
Bryant entered the game for the first possession of the second half and instantly made an impact. He completed a 47-yard pass to Russell and finished with a six-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 34-25.
Bryant added his second touchdown in as many possessions on a 25 yard run completing a four play drive.
Collins had a two-yard run and a 38-yard touchdown pass to complete the scoring for the Eagles at 48-39.
Bryant had his third touchdown and Denman added his fourth touchdown to hold the Panther lead. Bryant added a touchdown pass to complete the scoring.
Westwood leads the district and clinches the title with the win Friday night. Diboll is second, one game back and they travel to Teague (2-2).
A Fairfield win in Crockett on Friday would create a three-way tie to be decided by points.
(Photos by Natalia V. Marsters)
