Gutierrez delivers again for Warriors
MORRISDALE — It’s been a rough season for Williamsburg, which took an 0-7 record going into Friday night’s game against 1-6 West Branch.
West Branch senior quarterback Ayden Gutierrez, who was recognized before the game for his second straight 1,000-yard season and breaking the single-season passing record, made it a little rougher for the Blue Pirates. He threw for 288 yards and touchdowns of 64 and 40 yards in a 37-8 win on a cold night at West Branch’s L.T. Drivas Memorial Field.
Play of the game: On the next play after a Williamsburg fumble, Gutierrez threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Noah Hoffner.
Player of the game: Gutierrez completed 11 of 20 for 288 yards, including 231 yards at the half. He also ran for 32 yards on five carries.
Unsung hero: Hoffner had five receptions for 131 yards.
Most vital statistic: West Branch outgained Williamsburg, 484-335.
Most deceiving statistic: Williamsburg had more first downs, 17-13.
Williamsburg coach Ryan Hileman: “I don’t think the score reflects how we did. We gave up some big plays. We had two plays in the end zone. We dropped a pass, and another was caught out of bounds. I was really proud of our guys. We only gave up one score in the second half. West Branch played well. They have a good quarterback and have some receivers who can catch the ball.”
West Branch coach Kevin Hubler on Gutierrez: “He broke West Branch’s single-season passing record, and then you saw why. He threw a couple great balls at the beginning of the game, helped get us out to that early lead. He’s a great quarterback, great kid.”
Notable: Williamsburg’s Tyler Clark ran for 121 yards on 11 carries. … West Branch’s Will Herring gained 121 yards on 17 carries. … West Branch’s Sarah Betts kicked a 21-yard field goal and made all but one of her PATs … The Warriors intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles.
Records: Williamsburg (0-8), West Branch (2-6)
Next week: Williamsburg hosts Everett next week. West Branch visits Northern Bedford.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Williamsburg 0 8 0 0 — 8
West Branch 20 10 0 7 — 37
First Quarter
WB–Herring 1 run (kick failed), 7:46
WB–Hoffner 64 pass from Gutierrez (Betts kick), 7:21
WB–Dale 40 pass from Gutierrez (Betts kick), :50
Second Quarter
WB–A. Kephart 1 run (Betts kick), 8:50
W–Uplinger 20 pass from Palmer (McCall run), 5:58
WB–Betts 21 field goal, 2:53
Fourth Quarter
WB–Herring 40 run (Betts kick), 7:12
TEAM STATISTICS W WB
First downs 17 13
Total yards 335 484
Rushes-yards 30-214 34-196
Yards passing 121 288
Passing (comp.-att.-int) 9-27-3 11-20-0
Punts-avg. 3-30.6 3-33.0
Fumbles-lost 5-2 1-1
Penalties-yards 5-25 9-78
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Williamsburg, Clark 11-121, McCall 8-57, Palmer 10-47, Uplinger 1-(-11). West Branch, Herring 17-121, Gutierrez 5-32, A. Kephart 3-18, Grubbs 1-11, Brown 7-10, Croyle 1-4.
PASSING–Williamsburg, Palmer 8-25-3-111, Clark 1-1-0-10, Uplinger 0-1-0-0. West Branch, Gutierrez 11-20-0-288
RECEIVING–Williamsburg, McCall 4-65, Uplinger 2-34, Price 1-14, Clark 2-8. West Branch, Hoffner 5-131, Dale 3-88, Rothrock 2-62, Bellomy 1-7.
COMMENTS
[vivafbcomment]