Too Hot to Handle

Senior Quarterback Mike Glennon is Perfect in Leading No. 1 Westfield to a 45-6 Victory over No. 9 South County in its Season-Opener

When Westfield Coach Tom Verbanic had finally completed his post-game speech and several interviews following the top-ranked Bulldogs’ 45-6, season-opening victory over ninth-ranked South County and headed off the field Thursday night, he was immediately greeted by some excited fans.

There were three of them, to be exact. All were elementary-school age girls. And all three giggled as they eagerly held out their bare forearms and asked Verbanic if he’d autograph them.

Verbanic happily obliged, and looked every bit the part of a rock star. But his wasn’t the main show Thursday night.

It was his Bulldogs who were near flawless in their season opener, scoring on all six of their offensive possessions in the first half while not allowing the Stallions to even cross midfield. “I thought we looked pretty sharp on both sides of the football tonight,” Verbanic said. “For a first night I thought we did okay. We’ll see a million mistakes when we watch it on film tomorrow, I’m sure, but we came out and played hard and played fast. And our goal is always to play fast.” Senior Johnny Pickett got it started with a 40-yard return of the game’s opening kickoff to set his offense up at the South County 40-yard-line. Seven plays later senior running back Brian Kennedy went around right end for a 23-yard touchdown run, the first of six unanswered scores. “We came out with a lot of intensity tonight,” Kennedy said. “We all know what to do. We all trust each other. We’re a family and we play that way.”

Westfield senior David Kruchko hauls in the first of two touchdowns receptions on Thursday.

The Bulldogs were in the end zone again less than two minutes later courtesy of a 12-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mike Glennon to Pickett. The score was set up by an interception by senior linebacker Kyle Goffredo at the Stallions’ 13 yard line.

“Right off the bat we got that long kickoff return and I think that really set the tone,” Glennon said. “And from there on out we just didn’t stop.”

Glennon was perfect in his debut, completing all five passes he attempted in the first half for 56 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball twice for 15 yards and another score. But he was equally pleased to watch his back-up, senior Billy Samson, perform. Samson completed 6-of-8 passes for 76 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Jake Heinbaugh in the third quarter.

“Billy is one of my best friends and to see him throw a touchdown pass was incredible,” said Glennon, who has committed to N.C. State. “It has to be tough for him backing me up for four years, so I was real excited for him.”

But the Bulldogs’ quarterbacks weren’t the only ones who shined.

Senior running back Steven Tabot totaled 73 yards on 19 carries, using a fierce stiff-arm to bully his way for extra yards. Senior linebacker Jay Hurst laid a blistering hit on South County sophomore quarterback Aaron Andrews at the end of the first half. Pickett followed his big kickoff return and touchdown with an interception. And senior kicker David Skahn not only booted a 42-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare, but also put all but one of his first-half kickoffs into the end zone.

“He did a great job last year for us,” Verbanic said of Skahn. “But this was unbelievable. We pride ourselves on our special teams play and we were not only sharp there but I thought our offense and defense was in high-gear from the beginning tonight, too.”

South County got on the board on the opening drive of the second half on a 24-yard reverse touchdown run by junior running back Eric Dorsey on a play that was set up beautifully by back-up senior quarterback Ryan Heyrana. Heyrana, who took over in the third quarter, had a 37-yard run around left end earlier in the drive that stood as the Stallions’ longest play of the game.

“It’s frustrating when you get down quickly,” South County Coach Pete Bendorf said. “But at half time we talked about having to take care of ourselves. We have a long season ahead of us and I wanted to see what kind of character we had. I think we responded well.

“That’s an excellent football team,” he added, pointing to the Bulldogs. “I knew they would be. If we’re fortunate maybe we’ll see them again and see if we’re a lot better team by then.”

To see a complete photo gallery from Thursday’s game taken by professional photographer Jesse Neider, go to http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/1179855540834/JesseNeider/WestfieldSCFTBALL