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Waubonsie Valley impressive in Indiana

FISHERS, Ind. - Sitting at .500 on the season, Waubonsie Valley's football team knew what was at stake Friday night.

With two games left in their season, the Warriors badly needed a win. Traveling across state lines into Indiana to play Class 6A No. 7-ranked Hamilton Southeastern (6-2) may have added to Warriors' anxiety.

If it did, it didn't show.

Waubonsie Valley led wire-to-wire for an impressive 35-14 victory over Hamilton Southeastern.

"We were 3-3 and not guaranteed a playoff spot," Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy said. "If that's not motivation, I don't know what is."

Led by junior quarterback Tanner Westwood, Waubonsie Valley (4-3) put up the most points of its season. Westwood accounted for all five of the Warriors' touchdowns, three through the air and another two on the ground.

Westwood finished the night 10 of 15 for 165 yards passing with touchdown passes to three teammates.

"Last week we felt like we clicked with 32 points even though we lost," Westwood said. "With two big weeks in a row, we hope it will keep coming."

Westwood connected with Charles Robinson on the Warriors' opening drive for a 30-yard touchdown strike. Waubonsie Valley's defense shut down Hamilton Southeastern's initial drive on fourth-and-1 to set up the touchdown.

First-half interceptions by Waubonsie Valley's Nick Lamoso and Robinson set up scoring drives of 31 and 48 yards. Westwood capped both drives with 1- and 10-yard touchdown runs.

"As soon as the defense got those turnovers, we knew we had to capitalize on them," Westwood said.

Waubonsie Valley took advantage of a litany of Hamilton Southeastern mistakes in the third quarter.

Three Royals penalties for 35 yards aided the Warriors in a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive to open the third quarter. The drive culminated with Westwood hitting Will Isdell on a 5-yard slant for a 28-7 advantage.

A botched Royals punt snap, which resulted in a 41-yard loss, helped Waubonsie break the game open. Westwood hit Robinson for their second touchdown hookup on the night as the 6-foot-4 receiver dragged several Royals defenders into the end zone for a 35-7 lead.

The Warriors return home for their final two games of the season. Waubonsie Valley hosts Naperville North on Oct. 14 for its Homecoming game, and Wheaton North on Oct. 21.

"We've made the playoffs the last 10 years in a row, and I asked the seniors if they wanted to be the class that missed them," Murphy said. "They answered tonight."

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