Turnovers Cost Wolverines Game Against Spartans

Turnovers and penalties plagued West Potomac's performance Friday night, costing them the game against West Springfield. The Spartans beat the Wolverines, 34-10.

Within the first minute of the game, Spartans running back Jonathan Dunn set the pace with the first touchdown of the game. Kicker Tyler Czajkowski added a point with a successful field goal and the Spartans quickly took the lead, 7-0.

Before the end of the first quarter, the Spartans scored twice more making the score 20-0 in favor of the Spartans.

West Springfield's defensive line had a strong performance Friday night, making it hard on West Potomac's offense. Throughout the first half, the Wolverines had a tough time pushing the ball up the field even with many efforts made by wide receivers James Harkless and Demornay Pierson-El and quarterback Caleb Williams.

"I think our O- and D-lines really came out strong today. They played great," said Joe Biddison, head coach for West Springfield. "The entire game, they just kept going at it."

Pierson-El was finally able to get West Potomac on the scoreboard with a touchdown early in the second quarter. Kicker Chris Blewitt made the field goal, making the score 20-7, West Springfield.

During the second half, Pierson-El didn't touch the field. Head Coach Jeremiah Davis said it definitely took away the "homerun factor." The wide receiver dealt with a minor injury last week, and Davis decided he would sit him out the second half of the game as a precaution. As a result, Davis said a lot of of the players stepped up during the second half.

Carriers for West Potomac included Williams, Harkless and John Edckhardt. The Spartans took full advantage of the opportunity. Biddison said Pierson-El is a strong player, and it didn't hurt them that he wasn't on the field.

Davis said the Wolverines had too many turnovers throughout the game and this mistake gave the Spartans even more opportunity to score.

"We turned over the ball six times. They scored six touchdowns and we gave the ball over six times," Davis said. "We need to hold on to the ball and don't put our quarterback in a bad situation."

In the end, West Potomac's turnovers and penalties worked in West Springfield's favor, and the Spartans took full advantage to bring home the win.

Next week, the Wolverines will play T.C. Williams High School in their last game of the regular season, and the Spartans will take on Lake Braddock Secondary School.