Trailing 7-0 at the half, Caldwell scored 13 unanswered points to beat Westwood, 13-7. The winning score came with just over four minutes remaining.
Westwood had a very aggressive drive to open the game, scoring on a fabulous individual effort by Jack Dugan while running for a 17-yard touchdown. There wasn’t any scoring the rest of the half. Westwood had two big plays in the second quarter that could have led to more points on Robbie Carcich passes. The first was a 22-yarder to Dugan that took the Cardinals to the Caldwell 34 and a 28-yard throw to Colby Laughton to the Caldwell 36. But the Cardinals punted on both possessions. The Westwood defense was outstanding, making life difficult for the Caldwell offense.
Coming out of the half, Caldwell wasted no time when Luke Korzum hit Lucas Lattimer for a 79-yard score on the second play of the half. Later in the third, Caldwell threatened again, led by two runs from Joey Marinello netting 30 yards and a 12-yard run by Korzum, giving the Chiefs a first down on the Westwood 28. The Westwood defense held their ground and a Korzum fourth-down run fell two yards short of a first down.
Caldwell had the field position advantage in the fourth quarter, beginning their first two possessions on the Westwood 48 and Westwood 33. Caldwell reached the 15 on the first drive, but a 32-yard field goal attempt went wide left. Caldwell’s next drive was the winner ending in a 12-yard touchdown run by Louie Anemone on the jet sweep to the left. Westwood’s ensuing fourth down pass was incomplete and Caldwell ran out the clock.
Caldwell faced adversity and responded in the second half. They scored at least 30 points in every game, but one heading into this game and scored enough to win. Their defense was a big presence in the game and did not allow a first down in the second half. They have an outstanding defense, allowing less than 9 points per game. In the end, Caldwell responded like champions do.
Westwood played their hearts out and came up short. Their defense was outstanding, as they have been throughout the year, allowing only 63 points. On offense, Dugan was the prime mover and he has run hard all year and showed versatility. The team may have come up short, but have much to be proud of.