Westover pulls off win in thriller

ALBANY — Westover got off to a blazing fast start on Thursday night at Hugh Mills Stadium and finished in the same fashion.

The Patriots scored the first 16 points against Carver-Columbus before giving up 20 straight. But just when it looked like their time was up, Westover showed some life.

On fourth down with Carver up by four and under a minute left, Greg Marshall scrambled to his right, heaved a long pass and hit Terance Banks who dashed for a 40-yard touchdown.

The score gave the Patriots a 23-20 victory and their third win of the year.

Westover looked strong to start the game. They opened the scoring with a field goal by Collins Gioviingo.

On the ensuing drive, a Carver botched handoff that was recovered by Westover created another scoring opportunity.

The Patriots capitalized with a two-yard run by Daveon Sanders to make it 9-0.

Carver had good field position after the first two scores due to long kickoff returns by Jacobi Cunningham. Even with the ball on the Westover side of the field, the Tigers couldn’t find the end zone.

Westover continued to add to the score with a defensive touchdown. De’Narrius Morgan came down with the interception and ran nearly 60 yards before being tackled. Just before his knee touched the ground, Morgan pitched it to Ikenine Ochie, who finished off the touchdown run to make it 16-0.

The Patriots again had a chance to score when they got the ball at the Carver 24-yard line after Morgan blocked a punt, but they failed to capitalize.

The momentum started to swing Carver’s way just before halftime. Romello Kimbrough got the Tigers on the board with a one-yard touchdown run.

Carver quickly got the ball back in scoring position after picking off Greg Marshall at the Westover three-yard line.

Another Kimbrough score made it a 16-13 game at the half.

Carver quickly took the lead in the third quarter when Cameron Jessie scored on a nine-yard run. Jessie’s touchdown made it 20-16.

Westover (3-2) heads to Columbus next week to face Hardaway.