Brophy 28
Westview 14
By George Liddy ’14
The Roundup
When asked about his performance in Brophy’s Nov. 8 first round playoff win over Westview, running back Ryan Velez ’16 said, “It was a team effort, and that’s all I have to say about that.”
The 12th seeded Broncos needed both their defense and their offense in order to beat previously undefeated Westview Friday night.
The defense was able to stop Westview on their first drive deep in Brophy’s own territory. The fourth down play came after an illegal shift penalty, which made the Knights have to gain six yards for a first down instead of one.
The Broncos were then able to knock down Westview’s first pass attempt of the game to keep the Knights off the board.
There would be no score until less than a minute left in the first half.
Quarterback Brian Woodward ’14 completed a 40-yard pass to Isaiah Oliver ’15, who was then able to walk the ball about two yards more for the touchdown. Kicker Phil Mourikes ’14 made the point after Brophy lead 7-0.
Brophy would score again on their first drive of the second half. This drive was a total of six run plays all to Velez that totaled 79-yards. He capped off the drive with an 18-yard run into the end zone that would make the score 14-0 Broncos.
Westview responded with a long 80-yard touchdown drive of their own that took the game into the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Knights ran the ball on every play of the drive except for the touchdown pass to finish it.
With just more than 11 minutes left in the game Westview cut the lead to only seven.
On the next play of the game Velez was able to increase the lead back to 14 immediately. He took a kickoff return 93-yards on a reverse handoff from Oliver for a touchdown. The Broncos then lead the game 21-7 with about 11 minutes left in the game.
Westview responded on their next possession with another touchdown drive. It only took about three minutes off of the clock and involved many more passing plays than their previous drives. The Knights scored on an 8-yard run to make the score 21-14 Brophy.
However, the Broncos were again able to respond. This time with a drive that lasted just less than three minutes and ended in a 16-yard touchdown by Velez. Brophy then lead the game 28-14 with 5:41 left in the game.
This is how the game would end with the Broncos winning by fourteen points.
“The difficult schedule in the regular season helped to prepare us for the playoffs,” said head coach Mr. Scooter Molander.
Brophy will play Mesa Desert Ridge in a rematch of a game that Brophy lost 38-14. The winner will advance to the state semifinals to play the winner of Pinnacle and Hamilton.
Notes:
- Brophy held Westview to only 14 points, the fewest the Knights scored all year
- Velez rushed for 180-yards and had 298 all-purpose yards
- The Broncos have won three straight games
