Author: Parker Cassidy
The West Central Heat are still perfect after picking up a 52-36 win over Ridgewood Friday night to bring home the 8-Man Central West Conference title.
West Central improves to 7-0 overall and finishes conference play at a perfect 5-0 with two games remaining in the regular season.
The Heat had to battle back after Ridgewood scored twice early to take a 14-0 lead, but the West Central rushing attack wouldn’t be held off for long. The Heat took control from there and never looked back. Aidan Garner led the way with 228 yards and three touchdowns, while Graham Kelly added 135 yards and three more scores.
With the conference title now locked up, West Central will return home Friday night for Senior Night against St. Thomas More.
Head Coach Jason Kirby says this senior group has meant a lot to the program.
“Those guys not only have had great years stats-wise, but they’ve been great leaders for us as well, and kids that our younger kids can follow and pretty much lead our program into the next phase. It’s just been so much fun coaching them every day. I can’t say enough about them. It’ll be really hard to shake their hand on Friday night and look them in the eye and know that I don’t get many more times of getting to see them in our football uniform.”
The Heat will recognize seniors Jeremy Ford, Aidan Garner, Cooper Gibb and Blake Ricketts before Friday night’s game. All four have played big roles in West Central’s undefeated run.
St. Thomas More enters the matchup at 3-4 and will give West Central a different look with a pass-first offense. The Heat will look to improve to 8-0 and continue to improve their postseason seed.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM Friday night in Biggsville, with Senior Night festivities beginning at 6 PM.
