Box Score
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore tailback Luke Johnson (South Attleboro) rushed 28 times for 155 yards and a touchdown to Westfield State to a 21-6 victory over Western New England College in the annual President’s Trophy game in a non-divisional New England Football Conference match-up on Friday evening, Sept. 11.
Westfield (2-0) leads the all-time series, 13-8; the Owls have won the last three meetings between the Western Mass. rivals.
The opportunistic Owls and their bend-but-no-break defense forced five turnovers despite allowing the Golden Bears (1-1) to rack up 390 yards in total offense and 25 first downs. Westfield, meanwhile, only committed one turnover.
WNEC out-gained Westfield, 246-89, in the first half but the Owls held a 14-6 halftime edge as they converted two turnovers into quick touchdowns.
Westfield’s first touchdown was set up when junior cornerback Mike Jolicoeur (Wilbraham) returned an interception 34 yards. Johnson capped the 14-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
Western New England scored its only points early in the second quarter on an 18-yard pass from senior quarterback Justin Walz (Groton, CT) to sophomore receiver Kenny Muhlack (Groton, CT). The PAT attempt was blocked by senior lineman Matt Fall (Wilbraham).
The Owls scored with 47 second remaining in the first half on a 4-yard scamper by sophomore quarterback Kyle Anderson (Westminster). The eight-play 34-yard drive was set up on senior defensive back Nick Leverone’s (Natick) 18-yard interception return.
Westfield put together one of its only sustained drive in scoring the game’s final points with 6:40 left in the third quarter. The 9-play, 74-yard drive was capped with a nice 10-yard TD pass from Anderson on a scramble play to junior receiver Evan Berneche (Chicopee).
WNEC had several red zone scoring chances in the second half but failed to convert against the determined Westfield defense.
The Owls also received another strong performance from junior punter Chris Stengel (Forest Hill, MD), who averaged 40.4 yards on eight boots, including a booming 71-yarder.
Anderson only completed 7 of 19 passes for 85 yards. Berneche tied for game-high honors with five catches for 39 yards. Senior standout receiver David Benoit was held to one reception but it was a key 40-yard gain in the fourth quarter.
Westfield did finish with 276 yards in total offense, including 191 rushing on 42 carries.
WNEC did have success running the ball (199 yards on 43 carries) but the dangerous Walz was limited to 13 completions in 37 attempts and 191 yards. He threw three interceptions. JJ Jachym (Milford) led WNEC with 96 rushing yards on 15 carries. Muhlack led WNEC receivers with five catches for 68 yards.
Junior linebacker Dylan Chandler (Durham, Maine) led all tacklers with 12 stops, including two sacks. Leverone led the Owls with nine tackles, two for losses, and an interception. Linebacker Bryan Anderson (Stoneham) had eight tackles, including two sacks, and a fumble recovery.