As the final weeks of the season approach, the West Haven football team will lament the fact it had two opportunities in the final seconds of a pair of games to win with late heroics. Those games now take on even more meaning.
Winning its second game in a row, a 39-14 decision over Xavier at Larry McHugh Field in MIddletown Friday evening, the Westies improved to 5-3 on the year with contests against powers Shelton and Fairfield Prep on the horizon.
Both teams are in the op six of the Class LL pairings, with West Haven currently sitting in the number 12 spot. Eight teams will qualify for the postseason.
Jaden Grant scored three touchdowns on the night and the West Haven defense came up big on several occasions, setting up West Haven’s second consecutive victory.
Grant gave West Haven a 6-0 lead when he ran in from 10 yards out 3 minutes, 25 seconds in for a 6-0 lead. Just 3:25 later, West Haven led 12-0 when Justin Medina scampered in from six yards out. Both two-point conversion attempts failed.
Grant was at it again just 51 seconds into the second quarter, scoring his second touchdown of the game on a 39-yard run. When Jordan Berrios connected with Demerick Blackford on a 55-yard pass connection, West Haven had a 24-0 advantage with 7:34 left in the first half.
West Haven’s defense posted the shutout for a majority of the opening half until Xavier scored with five seconds remaining, cutting West Haven’s lead to 24-7.
The Westies responded to open the third quarter, needing little time to put the contest away. Berrios opened the drive with a 59-yard run and Grant scored from 12 yards out for a 31-7 lead 2:22 into the third quarter.
West Haven put the game away for good less than ten seconds into the fourth quarter when Mekiel Coates scored on a 6-yard run.
Xavier added a long touchdown run midway through the final quarter and West Haven tacked on a safety with 1:53 to go for the 39-14 final.