Westfield begins trek toward third straight GISA championship

A look at Westfield's success this season usually focuses on the same list of names.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns, while receiver Giles Amos has accounted for 491 yards and seven touchdowns. And Josh Jenkins and Reagan Waller have combined to rush for 1,589 yards and 19 touchdowns.

But while acknowledging the importance of those players, head coach Ronnie Jones insists that it's an entire list of names that has allowed the Hornets to keep up their winning ways.

"I know that we have been blessed with some veteran leaders, and they have been starting for three or four years, but I have guys like Austin Burnette, Aiden Murphy, John Bard, Zack Johnson, Landon Wainwright, Blake Holcomb and Conner Doles who are first-year starters that have been the main reason for this season being successful," said Jones, whose team is 9-1 heading into a first-round GISA Class AAA playoff game against Trinity Christian on Friday night. "A few of them did not even play football last year, but they have improved every game this year, and we have turned into a pretty good football team because of them."

Trinity Christian is 2-9, but Jones is quick to downplay the Crusaders' record.

"Trinity Christian has improved throughout the year, and all I know is that they were in a must-win game last weekend, and they won the game," Jones said. "They have absolutely nothing to lose, and at this point in the year, if we have a slipup, our season is over. Everyone has a clean slate in the playoffs, and that's how we are approaching this game.

"We have had problems putting teams away all season, so we want to try and stay away from mistakes and get the job done."

Westfield has won the past two GISA championships.

"I think there are many teams that have a legitimate chance of winning it all this year," Jones said. "It seems like everyone plays their best game against us because we have had success lately, but really, we have been very fortunate to stay away from any major injuries this year.

"We are not as deep as we have been in previous years, and if we lose one guy, it's like losing two players because most of our guys start on both sides of the ball. It is crucial to us that we continue to stay healthy."

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Westfield begins trek toward third straight GISA championship ."