Ben Ward’s pick-six gives Westwood 48-40 win over Baker County

CAMILLA — First, there were no referees. Then there were too many tempers. And by the end, there was almost no defense.

Somehow, Westwood found a way to win it.

Ben Ward intercepted a Baker County pass late in a 40-40 game and raced 65 yards for the winning touchdown Thursday night, giving the Wildcats a wild 48-40 victory over their nearby rival.

It was a dramatic finish to an eight-man football game between two schools separated by less than 10 miles — and a night that was unusual before the football even started.

The opening kickoff was delayed about an hour when the officiating crew failed to arrive. The crew apparently believed the game was scheduled for Friday rather than Thursday.

Once the officials arrived and the game finally began, things got heated almost immediately.

Westwood received the opening kickoff but couldn’t move the ball and punted. Baker County took over and quickly broke off a run of approximately 30 yards before a Westwood defender delivered a hard hit along the Bears’ sideline.

Several Baker County players rushed into the confrontation, and a brief melee followed. After a lengthy discussion, officials assessed penalties against both teams before play resumed.

The emotions hadn’t settled.

Moments later, Baker County senior quarterback Taylor Sanders found receiver Ronnie Williams along the sideline. Williams broke several tackles and raced into the end zone on what appeared to be a touchdown of more than 50 yards.

It didn’t count.

Another altercation broke out on the opposite sideline, and two Baker County players were ejected. A penalty erased the touchdown.

Baker County then lost another player to an injury on its next possession. For a small eight-man roster, losing three starters in the opening quarter was significant.

Neither offense had much success early, but the Bears eventually gave Westwood the opportunity it needed.

Baker County went for it on fourth down deep in its own territory, but the pass fell incomplete and gave the Wildcats excellent field position.

Westwood took advantage early in the second quarter.

Ward directed the offense, with Lee Williamson and Thomas Williamson helping the Wildcats move the ball on the ground before Westwood punched in the game’s first touchdown. Ward ran in the conversion to give the Wildcats an 8-0 lead.

Baker County responded late in the half.

Sanders led the Bears down the field and scored to cut the deficit to 8-6 heading into halftime.

Then a game that had been dominated by defense and penalties suddenly became a shootout.

After combining for only 14 points in the first half, Westwood and Baker County traded touchdowns throughout the second.

With 1:16 remaining, the Wildcats held a 40-34 lead and appeared close to putting the game away.

The Bears had one more answer.

Baker County drove for the tying touchdown, making it 40-40 and putting itself in position to complete the comeback.

Then Ward made the play of the night.

The Westwood quarterback, now lined up in the secondary, stepped in front of a Baker County pass and took the interception the other way, racing approximately 65 yards for the touchdown that finally settled a game that had been unpredictable from the beginning.

Westwood walked away with a 48-40 victory.

The Wildcats travel to Fullington Academy next Friday, while Baker County is scheduled to host Southern Christian of Opelika, Ala., in Newton.