GOODYEAR- Fireworks intended to celebrate the Millennium High School Tiger’s senior night were instead shot off at the end of the game to celebrate Westview’s  seventh straight section championship.

 

“Everybody doubted us after starting 0-5, but we continued to believe in ourselves. We are continuing the legacy, and it feels good.” Westview senior linebacker Joel Zurita said

 

Although fireworks were on display after the game, there was none to be seen during.

 

The Knights (4-5) were able to hold the high powered Tigers' offense to just one touchdown in their 14-11 victory.

 

The key to slowing the Tiger’s offense? Stopping their running game.

 

“Honestly we just thought we can beat them as long as we shut down their basic run,” Zurita said.

 

Westview held the strong backfield combo of Davon Fountain and Isaac Oliver to under 100 rushing yards. Fountain and Oliver had combined for a season total of 1,633 rushing yards, accounting of nearly half of Millennium’s all-purpose yards. Neither of them scored in the contest.

 

“Our defense has been playing awfully good, and a lot of credit goes out to them,” Westview Coach Nick Gehrts said. “We’ve really leaned heavy on them in the last couple weeks, and they have been playing really great football.”

 

Millennium (3-6) was able to contain the Knights interior ground attack also, mostly due to the success of their linemen.

 

“We studied film and were able to tell which way they were running based on their guards movement," Millennium senior defensive lineman Nate Nash said. "Once we were able to see how they down block, we were able to get in there and contain the interior.” 

 

Defense dominated the game, and at halftime the Knights had lead 6-3. The first touchdown of the game came off of a 5-yard run by Westview running back Bobby White.

 

Westview continued the momentum in the second half, scoring on another touchdown run, this time courtesy of a 22-yard rush by Isac Hall. Quarterback Scott Fallers added a successful run for a 2-point conversion.

 

 (Image by Michael Rincon. @MRinconPhoto)

 

Millennium wouldn’t get into the end zone till early in the fourth off of a tipped pass from quarterback Zareq Brown to wide receiver Jaelon Taylor. Fountain would bring the game to within three points after running it in for the 2-point conversion.

 

Westview took control of the ball with seven minutes to go and would exchange fumbles with the Tigers until running the clock out.

 

With Millennium’s loss they will miss the playoffs for a fourth straight year.

 

“It hurts, but every game we battled. Knowing that, I think we can still keep our heads held high,” Nash said.

 

Westview’s 4th straight victory clinched their 13th consecutive playoff berth and seventh straight section title.

 

“This has been our goal since the beginning of the year,” Gehrts said. “But there is still more football to be played”

 

Westview will finish the regular season next Friday at home against rival Copper Canyon (5-4).