In overtime, Nation Ford outlasts Westside

It took some extra football, but the Nation Ford Falcons held on for a 35-28 win over the Westside Rams in overtime and will face Northwestern next week for a spot in the state championship the following week.

Falcons quarterback Cole Martin ran in from five yards out for the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

“We bounced back,” Martin said. “We never give up. It’s awesome to be out here.”

Turnovers were the name of the game in the first half and helped swing things for both Nation Ford and Westside.

Nation Ford took advantage of a early turnover by Westside on its first drive when Tyree Chaplin scored on the fourth play for the Falcons’ offense.

Westside was able to figure out some of the Falcons’ offense on their second series as it started to double cover Nation Ford’s number one receiver, Hank Tuipulotu.

Deep into the first quarter, Nation Ford’s Mario Robinson intercepted a Westside pass. Martin then hit Tuipulotu on a 36-yard pass that got Nation Ford inside the 10. Chaplin then ran the ball in two plays later to extend the Falcons’ lead to two touchdowns.

Westside’s defense kept constant pressure on Martin flushing him out of the pocket for most of the first half. Martin was able to withstand the pressure for most of the first half with the help of his receivers finding some open space to work in.

Nation Ford passed the ball often, but the closer it got to the end zone on their drives the more it relied on the running game and Chaplin.

Turning point

Leading by seven, Nation Ford moved the ball 83 yards on 11 plays to score on a one-yard touchdown run by Rayquwan Taylor in the fourth quarter. That was set up by a big 32-yard catch from Alex Stennett as the Falcons.

Critical

In the second quarter, after a Martin interception, Westside’s Jyston Kendrick took a handoff and went 95 yards in one play to put the Rams on the board. The Rams then picked off Martin for a second straight time on the first pass of Nation Ford’s next series. Westside again kept the ball on the ground and tied the game with another Kendrick touchdown from 10 yards out.

In the closing moments of regulation, Westside tied the game with 19 seconds left scoring the second of two fourth quarter touchdowns, both from passes to Brantley Queen as the second score tied the game at 28-28.

Star contributions

Martin passed for 310 yards to lead the Falcons offense. Tuipulotu caught 13 passes for 116 yards and Jordan Helms caught 10 passes for 85 yards. Chaplin rushed for 93 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns.

Overheard

“You are the epitome of family that has each other’s back.” -Nation Ford coach Michael Allen

Box Score

Nation Ford 35, Westside 28

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

NF-Tyree Chaplin four-yard run (Lexi Dressing kick), 9:27

Second quarter

NF-Chaplin three-yard run (Dressing kick), 11:56

W-Jyston Kendrick 95-yard run (Chance Poore), 8:03

W-Kendrick 10-yard run (Poore), 5:11

Third quarter

NF-Chaplin three-yard run (Dressing kick), 4:47

Fourth quarter

NF-Rayquwan Taylor one-yard run (Dressing kick), 9:32

W-Jackson Williamson 10-yard pass to Brantley Queen (Poore), 5:35

W-Williamson 24-yard pass to Queen (Poore), 19.0

Overtime

NF-Martin five-yard run (Dressing kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Nation Ford: Tyree Chaplin 23-93, Cole Martin 4-6, Rayquwan Taylor 11-34. Westside: Jackson Williamson 7-0, Jyston Kendrick 20-155, Antonio Lomax 4-13, Matthew Martin 2-2

Passing

Nation Ford: Cole Martin 30-43-2 310, Westside: Jackson Williamson 14-22-0 181.

Receiving

Nation Ford: Hank Tuipulotu 13-116, Alex Stennett 6-90, Jordan Helms 10-85, Colby Ridge 1-19. Westside: Matthew Martin 3-24, Drek Thomas 1-8, Jyston Kendrick 3-33, Brantley Queen 3-41, Antonio Lomax 3-64, Brendin Pearson 1-11.

Records Nation Ford 9-4, Westside 11-2.

On Deck

Nation Ford will travel to District III Stadium next week to face Northwestern.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 11:13 PM with the headline "In overtime, Nation Ford outlasts Westside."