As Winton Woods coach Chad Murphy best coined, survive and advance.
Murphy enjoyed his first playoff victory as head coach for the Warriors – thanks in part to an electric performance by senior tailback Tyrek Spike – as his team bested Turpin 46-29 amid a steady rainfall throughout the night at Charlie Frederick Stadium Friday night.
Spike, who rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns on the night, really exploded through some gaping running lanes, showcasing his breakaway speed in the open field. His success, and other Warrior runners, gave Winton Woods a distinct advantage as both teams battled through the elements.
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“We ran the ball really well,” Murphy said. “We’ve been running the football pretty well most of the year; our defense was lights out. It was just a combination of both.”
Spike accounted for the first two Warrior touchdowns of the night, punching in scores from 31 and 77 yards out as part of a 162-yard rushing first-half for the speedy back.
Following a 1-yard keeper score by senior quarterback Buddy Ellery, the Warriors appeared to be in prime position for a statement half, maintaining a 20-0 lead.
But the Spartans – thanks largely to three penalties, including two personal fouls – mustered a drive of their own in response, as Turpin senior tailback Keenan Alcalde finished off the drive with a 1-yard rushing score. Remarkably, Alcalde’s rush capped off a 21-play, 78-yard drive, a drive which the Spartans chewed off enough clock to conclude the half trailing just 20-7.
Out of halftime, the Warriors appeared ready to put away Turpin.
Ellery tacked on his second score of the night, this time on a 26-yard scoring pass to senior receiver Derrick Lawson. Shortly thereafter, junior change-of-pace quarterback K.C. Spears connected with senior C.J. Ingram on a 20-yard score, putting the Warriors ahead 33-7.
Just as it felt the Warriors had gained enough separation, the Spartans strung off 14 unanswered points, following senior Will Schulok’s 11-yard passing score to senior Ryan McDole and a blocked punt by Turpin – setting up a fumble recovery scoop and score a few plays later for senior Louie Birk.
Ahead 33-21 and suddenly feeling a looming threat, Winton Woods turned to its top playmaker to take them home -- and boy did he ever.
Spike quickly scored just seconds into the fourth quarter on a 47-yard rushing score, providing a much-needed sigh of relief for the Warrior faithful in attendance and halting the sudden Spartan surge.
The two teams traded touchdowns late in the fourth quarter, but Winton Woods sailed smoothly to victory the rest of the way.
“We make things a little too interesting at times, but we come out there in the second half and come out tough,” Murphy spoke of the second half. “A big score there by (Jay’ron Gibson). That’s a well-coached football team, a tough team. We wanted to be 1-0 this week and that’s what we are.”
“I’m just happy for our kids. I’m blessed to be here, this is a great place, has been a great place for a long time. I couldn’t be happier for us and our football team.”
Turpin was led in defeat by Alcalde, who was stifled to 16 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown in defeat. Schulok converted 19-of-42 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown to highlight the Spartan offense. The Spartans (6-5) conclude their season with the loss.
With the victory, the Warriors (8-3) continue their postseason hunt into the second round of the OHSAA Division II, Region 8 playoffs next Friday, where they’ll draw a rematch with unbeaten Kings (11-0).
Kings defeated Winton Woods in a 14-13 nail-biter in their regular-season matchup on Sept. 3, though both teams have progressed since the week three contest.
“We battled with them in the playoffs last year and we battled this year,” Murphy said. “(It was) 14-13 and a handful of plays man, that’s a different game. They’re a really good program, have been for a long time and really well-coached just like Turpin. . . We have to earn wins, take care of the football and do all of those things right. But I believe in our kids; it should be a great matchup.”
1Q: WW: Spikes 31-yard rush (PAT is good) 7-0 WW.
WW: Spikes 77-yard rush (PAT is good) 14-0 WW.
2Q: WW: Ellery 1-yard rush (PAT missed) 20-0 WW.
T: Alcalde 1-yard rush (PAT is good) 20-7 WW.
3Q: WW: Ellery 26-yard pass to Lawson (PAT missed) 26-7 WW.
WW: Spears 20-yard pass to Ingram (PAT is good) 33-7 WW.
T: Schulok 11-yard pass to McDole (PAT is good) 33-14 WW.
T: Birk 5-yard fumble recovery score (PAT is good) 33-21 WW.
4Q: WW: Spikes 47-yard rush (PAT missed) 39-21 WW.
WW: Gibson 26-yard fumble recovery (PAT is good) 46-21 WW.
T: Jilek 4-yard rush (conversion) 46-29 WW.
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