Westfield Football Destroys Scotch Plains-Fanwood 28-0

Sometimes you just take care of business and move on.

That's exactly what the Westfield football team accomplished Saturday afternoon.
Favored to beat arch rival Scotch Plains-Fanwood for a third straight time and second consecutive year at Scotch Plains, the Blue Devils scored on their first two possessions en route to a commanding 28-0 Opening Day Mid-State 39 Conference-interdivision triumph.

Westfield will next prepare for another interdivision game against Bridgewater-Raritan Friday at 3 p.m., which is its home-opener. BR defeated visiting Hillsborough 26-8 Friday night.

Scotch Plains also has another interdivision game as the Raiders will play at Rahway Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Veterans Field. Rahway was thumped at North Plainfield 41-14 Friday night.

Westfield senior running back A.J. Murray led all rushers with 123 yards on 23 carries, including 87 on 15 in the first half and 36 on eight in the second.

Murray rushed for touchdowns of nine yards in the first quarter, eight in the second and four in the fourth.

"I thought we did a great job today," Murray said. "We wanted to come in and pound the ball early and put them on their heels and we did that."

Murray capped Westfield's first drive with the first of his three scores. Then senior quarterback Dan Kerr concluded the second one with an eight-yard touchdown pass to senior end Ryan Hess on a drive that began in the first quarter and ended in the second.

After playing football as a freshman and sophomore, Hess did not come out last year. He's glad that he decided to don the shoulder pads for his senior season.

"It's good to be back," said Hess, who also caught a pass for 16 yards in the second half. "I was questioning the decision at first, but knew that I couldn't hold back. I didn't want to miss the experience."

Westfield fifth-year head coach Jim DeSarno can't argue about having a 6-2 senior receiver be part of his pro style offense.

"We've had tall receivers in the past, so it's nice to have another one," DeSarno said. "Since he played as a freshman and sophomore, it was a smooth transition for Ryan."

An interception return of 62 yards by junior cornerback Peter Ondi set up Westfield's third touchdown of the first half.

Scotch Plains got to the Westfield one-yard line right before the half, but the Blue Devils prevented the Raiders from scoring and gaining any momentum going into halftime.

The final play of the first half was an incomplete pass in the end zone thrown by Scotch Plains lefty-throwing junior quarterback Steve Alleman.

"The goal line stand was huge," Hess said. "We prepared hard for this game the past two weeks and we were ready."

Once Westfield went up 28-0 in the second half, DiSarno was able to play his reserves.

"We were a little flat in the second half, but that last score was big," DiSarno said. "It was good that we were able to put our second offense in."

Kerr completed 7-of-13 passes for 67 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was 4-for-9 for 45 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the first half and 3-for-4 for 22 yards in the second.

Westfield also hosted Bridgewater-Raritan last year, falling 23-14 in its third game. The Panthers finished 6-4 a year ago and reached the North 2, Group 4 quarterfinals.

"They're big and strong," Murray said of the Somerset County foe. "We need to stop the run by pushing up front."

"They're real good," DeSarno said. "They have a dynamic offense that will keep us up late at night this week trying to prepare for."

MID-STATE 39 CONFERENCE-INTERDIVISION GAME
WESTFIELD (1-0)                            7        14        0        7 - 28
SCOTCH PLAINS (0-1)                   0          0        0        0 -   0

FIRST QUARTER:
WESTFIELD – A.J. Murray 9 run, Jonathan Gribbon kick (W 7-0)

SECOND QUARTER:
WESTFIELD – Ryan Hess 8 pass from Dan Kerr, Jonathan Gribbon kick (W 14-0)  
WESTFIELD – A.J. Murray 8 run, Jonathan Gribbon kick (W 21-0)
The score was set up by a 62-yard interception return by Peter Ondi.

FOURTH QUARTER:
WESTFIELD – A.J. Murray 4 run, Jonathan Gribbon kick (W 28-0)
7 plays, 52 yards, 2:48 used


WESTFIELD BLUE DEVILS (1-0)
Sept. 11 (A) Westfield 28, Scotch Plains 0
Sept. 17 Bridgewater-Raritan, 3 p.m.
Sept. 25 Watchung Hills, 1 p.m.
Oct. 2 Elizabeth, 1 p.m.
Oct. 8 at Union, 7 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Rahway, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30 Linden, 1 p.m.
Nov. 5 at Immaculata, 7 p.m.
Nov. 25 at Plainfield, 11 a.m.
Record: 1-0
Mid-State 39-East A Division: 0-0
Home: 0-0
Away: 1-0
Points for: 28
Points against: 0
Shutouts: 1
Overtime: 0-0
Head coach: Jim DeSarno,
fifth season