by Alliance, Ohio – The West Branch Warriors prevailed over host Alliance, 42-35, at Kehres Stadium Friday evening.
The Warriors drew first blood late in the first quarter. After a Garin Harlan interception stopped an Alliance drive, senior quarterback Dru DeShields found Christian Martig for a 31-yard touchdown reception.
Alliance answered with a march of their own down the field. After a couple of huge runs from Youngstown State commit Kayden Davis, junior quarterback Brendan Zurbrugg scampered for a 23-yard touchdown run. He converted the PAT to tie the score at the 10:44 mark of the second quarter.
The Warriors answered, as Dru DeShields found senior Michael Kanagy for a six-yard touchdown reception. Alliance followed with a six-yard touchdown run from Kayden Davis to tie it up.
Once again, West Branch moved down the field with precision, capping their drive when Dru DeShields found Christian Martig for a 20-yard touchdown reception with :06 left in the half. This put the Warriors up 21-14 at the half.
In the third quarter, Brendan Zurbrugg scampered for a 12-yard touchdown run and converted the PAT to tie things up once again with 7:05 left in the third.
As opponents know, not only can Dru DeShields make an impact through the air, he also can make an impact on the ground.
DeShields scored a rushing touchdown from three yards out to give the Warriors the lead less than a minute later. He would later add another rushing touchdown, this time from four yards out, with :36 left in the third. The PAT was blocked, and West Branch led 34-21 after three.
Alliance needed a score in the fourth quarter, and got one. Brendan Zurbrugg found Rahmir Hawkins for a 32-yard touchdown reception. Hawkins made another impressive catch earlier in the quarter to help move the Aviator offense down the field. He had five catches for 77 yards and a score.
After a huge defensive stand by Alliance, the Aviators marched down the field, and capped their drive with a three-yard touchdown run from Kayden Davis. He had 23 carries for 169 yards, and four catches for 66 yards.
But West Branch had one final drive.
Dru DeShields led the Warriors down the field, also completing a huge fourth-down toss to sophomore Boston Mulinix. Mulinix would later punch it in from nine yards out to give the Warriors the lead with :14 left. DeShields found Joey Jackson for the ensuing two-point try, and West Branch took the lead, 42-35. He had 17 carries for 89 yards.
Alliance had one last chance, but could not get into the end zone.
As a result, not only did West Branch win the game, they took home the Gary Andreani Loyalty Award. This is a trophy awarded to the winner of the Alliance-West Branch game every year.
West Branch (8-1 overall, 4-0 EBC) travels to Carrollton next week to continue conference play.
Alliance (6-2 overall, 2-2 EBC) travels to Minerva next week to continue conference play. Brendan Zurbrugg went 11 of 21 passing for 192 yards and a touchdown, and 17 carries for 119 yards and two scores.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Senior QB Dru DeShields (West Branch)
The Eastern Illinois commit accounted for five touchdowns on the evening. (Three through the air, and two on the ground). In total, he had 283 yards passing, and 62 yards rushing. He made things happen with his arm and with his legs! The Warriors are gonna be a contender in Division IV, Region 13 come playoff time!
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