MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Coming into its week 7 game at Cascade, Westwood Middle School football had beaten its previous 19 opponents.

That winning streak came to an end in a close battle Thursday night, with the Rockets falling behind late on the way to a 24-22 loss.

Trailing by eight points early, Westwood tied the game at 8-8 not long after the start of the second quarter.

After ending Cascade’s next drive on a fumble recovery and taking over on their own 24-yard line, the Rockets began to march back down the field. Late in the drive, Berott Clem broke out for a 49-yard run to put Westwood in the red zone. Ryder Hickerson took it the rest of the way, running in the final three yards for the go-ahead touchdown. The following 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the Rockets ahead 14-8 with 1:35 left in the half.

Cascade went on to answer before the clock struck zero, reaching the end zone in the final seconds of the first half to retake control. The Champions’ 2-point attempt was good, sending Westwood into the break trailing 16-14.

After both teams came away with scoreless possessions to open the third quarter, Westwood’s offense took over on its own 26-yard line and proceeded to get just past midfield to set up 2^nd & 13. Clem took it in the rest of the way on the next play, running the ball 46 yards to pay dirt for another Rocket touchdown. The 2-point conversion was successful this time around, putting Westwood ahead 22-16 with 1:36 left on the clock.

Still up by six as the fourth quarter got under way, the Rockets’ first drive of the quarter ended in a fumble recovered by Cascade in Westwood territory. The Champions took advantage of the field position, reaching the end zone and adding the 2-point conversion to take a 24-22 lead with 4:21 left to play.

The Rockets were unable to get back in front before time expired, finishing the game down by two.

Westwood (6-1) heads into its bye week and will return to action with another road game against Forrest on Sept. 24. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.