Westerville North gets first football win against Westerville team since 2008
Friday, August 18, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
[See John Hulkenberg’s photo gallery of this game]
Westerville North’s Ronald Jackson tries to elude Central’s Aaron Gilbert in the season opener Aug. 18 at North. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Trey McDonald wasn’t thinking about the 13 consecutive games the Westerville North football team has lost to rival Westerville Central. He wasn’t thinking about the 28 consecutive losses the Warriors have suffered against their Westerville rivals.
All he was thinking about was reading the play and jumping the pass. His 42-yard interception return for a touchdown turned momentum in host North’s 21-12 win over Central in the season-opener on Aug. 18.
“Just watching film and noticing plays,” McDonald, a junior defensive back for the Warriors. “I saw that bubble (screen) and I just jumped it.”
The last time North had defeated a Westerville school was Sept. 19, 2008 when it defeated the Warhawks 21-17 at Central. That includes last year’s game where the Warhawks won on a 73-yard hook and lateral on the last play of the game.
“I was so mad last year after this game,” junior running back/defensive back Jonathan Stevens said. “We’ve been working really hard this summer. The new coaching staff did their job really well. We started working at 6 a.m. the whole summer. We deserved this.”
The Warriors, who are 2-13 against Central, gave coach Stanley Jackson his first win in his first game. A truly historic night.
“It matters in this community,” Jackson said. “It’s a big deal for us and it’s a big deal for these seniors. It’s been since (2008) since we won this football game. So, I’m excited for our kids.”
Westerville North’s Will Solomon looks to tackle Central’s Mario Williams during the season opener Aug. 18 at North. Photo: John Hulkenberg
It wasn’t a perfect performance. The teams combined for 25 penalties, including 16 by North.
The Warriors had three holding penalties on their opening drive, but managed to convert two fourth-down plays.
That included a direct snap taken by Stevens around right end for a 28-yard touchdown run to give North a 7-0 lead. The play, which came with 1 minute, 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter converting a fourth-and-16. Stevens led North with 14 carries for 79 yards.
“That was crazy – I can’t even explain my emotion after that (play),” Stevens said. “My blockers blocked for me. It was easy for me – I just had to run it in.”
Vari Adams made a diving catch in the front left corner of the end zone with 6:10 remaining in the third quarter to round out North’s scoring. It was one of his six catches for 62 yards.
Ronald Jackson finished 20 of 29 passing for 162 yards and Austin Baker had 4.5 tackles for the Warriors, who travel to Central Crossing on Aug. 25.
Central quarterback Jaystin Gwinn had 20 carries for 135 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 21-12 with 2:01 remaining. But he was stopped short on the ensuing 2-point conversion.
Zachary Nelson kicked a pair of field goals, including one from 43 yards on the last play of the first half to cut Central’s deficit to 7-6.
Gwinn added 103 yards on 12 of 20 passing and Andrew Kreakie had seven tackles for the Warhawks, who are at home against Westerville South on Aug. 25.
“We weren’t focused on (the winning streak),” Central coach Ed Miley said. “It was this year’s (Central) team versus this year’s (North) team. They made less mistakes, they played a little better and they won the football game. (The pick six) was a momentum play that we’ve got to overcome. We’ve got to put the ball in the end zone when we get a chance. We can’t settle for field goals.”
North plays at Westerville South in OCC-Capital Division play on Sept. 22. The Wildcats have won 16 consecutive meetings between the two dating back to Sept. 9, 2005 when North won 14-10.