Staff Reports

The North Jefferson News



The Westbrook Christian Warriors (5-3, 4-2) stunned the Fultondale Wildcats Friday night, as they dashed any hopes of an unbeaten regular season with a 25-22 2A, Region 5 win.

The Warriors defense limited the Wildcats potent ground attack to only 125 yards rushing, the club’s lowest output of the season and more than 200 yards below their season average of more than 338 yards per game.

Fultondale fell behind early, as the Warriors scored on an 18-yard run to end their opening drive of the game.

On their next possession, Westbrook moved ahead by 10 points, as they added a 24-yard field goal with just under three minutes left in the first quarter.

The Wildcats then answered back on their ensuing drive, as they drove 58 yards to score and pull within three points at 10-7.

Johnathan Craig scored on a 1-yard plunge and Chris Carlsen then added the point-after.

Later in the second, senior wide out Ryan Randall got behind the Warriors’ secondary and caught a 59-yard scoring pass from senior quarterback LaKendrick Smith.

Randall finished with two catches for 90 yards.

With Carlsen’s point-after, the Wildcats led for the first time at 14-10.

Smith finished the game completing 6-of-13 throws for a season-high 131 yards and was not intercepted.

The half ended with Fultondale still in front.

Westbrook then got their offense going again, as they scored on a 43-yard run with just over nine minutes left in the third quarter for a 16-14 lead.

On the point-after attempt, Fultondale’s Christian McCollough stormed through the line and blocked the kick, leaving the margin at two points.

Westbrook would later score again and add the point-after for a 23-14 lead with less than half of the fourth quarter remaining.

The Wildcats then drove more than 60 yards for another score. This time Smith ended the drive on a 10-yard scoring run around the right end.

Smith then scored on a quarterback keeper for the 2-point conversion and Fultondale was within one at 23-22 with just over two minutes to play.

Fultondale head coach Keith Register then called for an on-side kickoff and the Wildcats recovered in Westbrook territory. After moving to the Warriors’ 37-yard line in two plays, the following center-quarterback exchange was fumbled and the Warriors recovered with just 1:12 left to play.

Westbrook ran out the clock to preserve the win.

The Warriors clinched a playoff spot with the win and could still win the region outright, if Fultondale loses next week, while the Warriors take their final region contest.

Sophomore Chris Barber was the Wildcats’ leading rusher with 42 yards on 12 carries, followed by Johnathan Craig with 30 yards on 11 carries, C.J. Mixon with 28 yards on six carries and Smith added 25 yards on seven carries.

The loss is the first for the Wildcats (7-1, 5-1), who will face J.B. Pennington next week with a chance at winning the region title outright.