Westover opens with 30-12 win over Kings Ridge

By David Desa, Special to the Herald

ALBANY – The opening game for Westover’s 2026 football season saw them go 1-0 as they convincingly beat King’s Ridge Christian at Hugh Mills Stadium. The Friday night encounter saw the Patriots win 30-12. This meant they sent the Tigers home with a 0-1 record to start their season. What began as a competitive game over the first half ended as a lopsided shutout at the end of the second half.

The Tigers showed their ability to make things uncomfortable for the Patriots in the first half. But Westover’s first rushing touchdown tied the game at 6-6. The Patriots then followed with a successful two-point conversion to take an 8-6 lead. The Tigers, however, responded with a rushing touchdown of their own to move back in front 12-8. Even so, a missed point-after attempt kept the margin at four.

One of the Tigers’ better individual moments came from No. 4 Ahmad Mitchell Jr., who broke off a long run during the opening-quarter exchange. He helped move King’s Ridge into position to keep the pressure on Westover. Unfortunately for them, the Tigers could not hold that advantage for long as the Patriots answered with another rushing touchdown followed by a successful two-point conversion to take a 16-12 lead into the second quarter.

That response became the defining pattern of the first half. King’s Ridge had shown enough offensively to stay within one possession, but Westover consistently found answers and gradually began to control the game on the ground. In the second quarter, the Patriots extended their advantage with a 13-yard rushing touchdown and converted another two-point attempt which pushed the margin to 24-12. Westover carried that 12-point lead into halftime. They repeatedly answered the Tigers’ best stretches and built enough separation to put the game’s momentum firmly on their side.

The second half belonged to Westover’s defense. The Patriots had opportunities to extend their lead further but saw promising possessions end on downs twice. This included a third-quarter drive that reached the King’s Ridge 24-yard line. The Tigers tried to gain back ground with some favorable field position, moving across midfield to the Westover 44. However, the Patriots’ defense stiffened and forced the drive to end with a punt before taking possession at their own 17-yard line and working their way out of danger. That said, the Patriots remained up 24-12 with neither team managing to change the score in this quarter. 

Westover again moved deep into King’s Ridge territory early in the final period, reaching the Tigers’ 15-yard line before the drive ended on downs. Once again, the defense prevented King’s Ridge from taking advantage of the stop. The Tigers were unable to sustain another scoring threat, and after another punt, Westover took possession at its own 36-yard line and put together the drive that finally removed any doubt about the outcome. The Patriots steadily worked their way downfield, reaching the King’s Ridge 40, 35, 26 and 19 before finishing the possession with a rushing touchdown. Westover tried to add two more points, but the conversion failed, leaving the Patriots with a 30-12 advantage with roughly two minutes remaining.

King’s Ridge had one final opportunity to generate a late response, but Westover’s defense closed the door. The Tigers crossed midfield and reached the Patriots’ 38-yard line with less than a minute remaining, only to face fourth down with the game already slipping beyond their reach. Westover stopped the final push and secured a victory built as much on its defensive finish as its offensive production. The Patriots recorded 36 total tackles on the night, while King’s Ridge was held scoreless throughout the second half. The Tigers’ offense ultimately could not sustain their production after halftime. However, Mitchell’s early burst was part of the stretch that kept King’s Ridge within striking distance. 

The game was played in rainy conditions on a wet field, adding another layer to a matchup that was dominated by the running game. Westover scored four rushing touchdowns and converted three two-point attempts, while King’s Ridge’s two rushing touchdowns accounted for all 12 of its points. The Patriots entered the matchup as the higher-ranked team in Georgia and now begin the season 1-0, while King’s Ridge drops to 0-1. Westover, a Class AAAA program from Albany, will turn its attention to Seminole County next week, while King’s Ridge, a Class AA program from Alpharetta, will return home to face Westminster.

For much of the first half, the game had the feel of a contest that could remain close into the final minutes. King’s Ridge held a 12-8 lead in the opening quarter, and Mitchell’s long run was one of the moments that helped the Tigers maintain their early offensive momentum. Westover responded each time, however, and by halftime had created enough distance to take control. From there, the Patriots’ defense took over, shutting out King’s Ridge over the final two quarters before the offense put the finishing touch on the victory with its final rushing touchdown in the fourth.

Westover’s ability to withstand King’s Ridge’s early push, keep the Tigers from scoring after halftime, and finish strong gave the Patriots exactly the kind of opening-night result they were looking for.