Photograph: WCA quarterback Stephen George looks downfield for a passing opportunity. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A dramatic late-game Westminster Christian Academy comeback created a devastating heartbreak for a North Central football team searching for a signature district victory Thursday night.
Westminster doubled down defensively and created enough second half offense that generated a frenetic fourth quarter finish and a 35-32 victory in a District 6-1A contest at Crusaders Stadium.
North Central (3-4, 0-2), dominated early offensively and led 26-7 at halftime, as sophomore quarterback Craig Malveaux maneuvered on runs through the WCA defense, while throwing touchdown passes to wide receivers Devion Lavergne and Jamarion Tanner.
Lavergne, who caught 13 passes for 216 yards, cradled his third touchdown throw from Malveaux, which provided the ‘Canes with a 32-14 cushion with 6:52 left in the third quarter.
That however was the high point offensively for North Central as the Crusaders responded afterward with three unanswered touchdowns, including two TD’s in the final 5:24.
The contest proved to be a collaborative offensive display, as the teams combined for 852 total yards.
Malveaux finished the game with 420 total offensive yards (319 passing, 101 rushing).
Westminster (2-5, 1-1) meanwhile rushed for 290, as sophomore Joseph Brown ran for 169 and scored three times.
WCA freshman quarterback Stephen George passed for 111 yards, including a final 34-yard touchdown to receiver Josh Cassimere, with 57 seconds remaining.
“This one really hurts, but give Westminster credit for fighting back and taking it from us. In the second half we had two interceptions and that hurt. Overall we certainly had our chances and we didn’t take advantage,” said North Central head football coach Jacob Carruth.
Carruth said with the exception of Malveaux’s rushing the Hurricanes lacked a cohesive running game.
In addition the Hurricanes Carruth said, missed converting four two-point conversions following touchdowns.
“Westminster made their extra points and we weren’t able to do that (on Thursday night),” Carruth added.
WCA head football coach Travis Blaize complimented his players for what he said was their composure, despite the havoc that the ‘Canes offense produced for nearly three quarters.
“I thought our guys did a good job of fighting back. At halftime we made one simple adjustment and we were able to stop (Malveaux) more effectively. We challenged our linebackers and our DB’s and we did some different things with coverages,” Blaize said.
Crusaders’ defensive backs Colin Rideau, Dreylin Pitre and Damian Thomas intercepted Malveaux.
Blaize was also said he was pleased with the fourth quarter poise from George, who along with Brown and running back Michael Cunningham, took control of the Crusaders’ offense.
Hill’s reception from George provided the only WCA points of the first half.
North Central scored twice in the second half on receptions by Tanner and Lavergne.
With no time remaining in the third quarter, Brown broke away on a 37-yard run and the Mac Proffitt extra point kick – his third of the game – cut the “Canes’ lead to 32-21.
In the fourth period, the Crusaders moved 97 yards on one scoring drive, with George completing three passes, before Cassimere used a 24-yard run to set up a 6-yard Brown score.
An interception of a Malveaux pass with 3:08 left in the game set up WCA with the final dive of the game.
WCA moved 83 yards in nine plays, with George completing three of four passing attempts and Cunningham running for 13 yards on two attempts. George then threw to Cassimere on a slant route for the 34-yard score.
