Westport in football playoffs for first time since 2004

The Westport Tigers pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2009 football season last week when they traveled to Platte County and defeated the Pirates 20-14. Undermanned but well prepared, Westport (4-6) rushed for nearly 300 yards — led by running back Brian Townsend’s 135 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries — and never trailed. With the victory, Westport finished second in its district and earned a playoff berth, the Tigers’ first since 2004.

“We got ready for Platte County because we’ve been playing so well against some of these good teams (Staley, Sedalia Smith-Cotton and Hogan Prep), and our kids started to believe in ourselves, they believed in our coaches,” coach Dan Stanley said. “I’m awful proud of my kids and my coaches.”

The Westport win over a Suburban Conference Small Six school should not be undersold. According to Stanley, the Tigers took only 25 players to the game, and during warmups senior left tackle Trevelle Stewart suffered a sprained ankle. Despite the injury, Stewart replaced Jordan Frazier, who was out because of a concussion, and did not miss a play. Neither did senior Concepcion Rosa, who pulled a leg muscle while running for a third-quarter fumble return touchdown.

“Those kids stayed in there and it’s just phenomenal,” Stanley said. “(The team) will have some memories that they’ll live with for the rest of their lives.”

Westport will face Kearney at 7 tonight in a Class 4 regional game in Kearney.

Other regional matchups: •Lexington (8-2) vs. Hogan Prep (9-1) at William Chrisman

•Chillicothe (8-2) at O’Hara (9-1)

•Sweet Springs (5-5) vs. University Academy (8-2) at Center

•Raytown (3-7) at Nixa (7-3)

•Lee’s Summit West (7-3) vs. Raytown South (7-3) at Raytown

•Grandview (2-8) at Harrisonville (9-1)

•Grain Valley (8-2) vs. Hickman Mills (6-4) at Ruskin

•Pleasant Hill (6-4) at Odessa (4-6)

•Lone Jack (6-4) at Tipton (10-0)

submitted by CANDACE BUCKNER - 2009-11-03 13:15:03

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