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Firebirds grind past Bombers

Defense carried the way to a win for one of the usual top teams on Friday night.

WEST CHESTER, Ohio – Our Blitz 5 Game of the Week featured two of the premiere programs in the state of Ohio as the St. Xavier Bombers invaded West Chester for a primetime matchup with the Lakota West Firebirds. These two programs are no strangers to one another as these juggernauts have faced off five times since the 2020 season. St. Xavier held a 3-2 record in that time frame and the Firebirds were looking to even the score.

Both teams sought to start their seasons off the right way and get that important win for playoff seeding way down the line. This week one battle was a tough and physical affair as per usual when these two programs collided. The crowd was electric as the bomb squad traveled well to provide their team with a boost. The home Firebird fans were jacked up as well in hopes of hearing that victory bell ring signaling a West win. The game was highly contested, and it started that way from the opening kickoff.

The game was the typical style of the prior meetings. Both defenses were up to the challenge in the first half and special teams played a big part for both squads. The two squads exchanged punts early on and on the Firebirds’ second punt, St. Xavier’s Aidan Reeder came through with a block to put the Bombers in prime position at the 8-yard line. Chase Herbstreit took the next play of the gut for a score to put the visitors on top with 7:04 left in the first quarter.

In the second quarter it was Lakota West who returned the favor by blocking a punt of their own. West quarterback Sam Wiles would then have a keeper of his own for a 4-yard touchdown run. The defensive battle would continue throughout the second quarter until the Firebirds made a few plays. Wiles did some work with his legs by evading defenders and finding receivers down field. His pass late in the second survived a tip drill and found Trey Barnette for a 22-yard score and a 14-7 lead at the half.

West forced a three and out to start the half and backed it up with a solid drive down the field. They would have to settle for a field goal attempt and the leg of Kofi Adubofour was true with a 37-yard field goal with 8:50 in the third. The Bombers had a positive drive going until Herbstreit was stopped on fourth down with just over five minutes left in the quarter. That is how the quarter would end.

The West defense was stout all game long. After a punt of their own, they again stopped the Bombers on downs early in the fourth. They were able to chew clock and come away with the win in front of their home fans. Herbstreit added another rushing score in the final seconds to help produce the final score.

Sam Wiles was 8/16 passing for 105 yards. He added 82 yards rushing on the night. Herbstreit rushed for 92 yards and two scores in a losing effort. In the end it was Lakota West who came away with the hard-fought win. The Firebirds did the little things that mattered in the end and improved their record to 1-0. Defense paved the way for the victory and special teams played their part as well.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
St. Xavier 7-0-0-6-13
Lakota West 0-14-3-0-17

SCORING PLAYS
S: Chase Herbstreit 8-yard rush (kick)
L: Sam Wiles 4-yard rush (Kofi Adubofour kick)
L: Trey Barnette 22-yard rec from Wiles (Jacob Seitz kick)
L Kofi Adubofour 37-yard field goal
S: Herbstreit 2-yard rush (attempt failed)

RECORDS: St. Xavier (0-1); Lakota West (1-0)
UP NEXT: St. Xavier at Centerville; Lakota West vs. Hamilton

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