Westminster Christian Triumph: Westminster Christian etches its name in history with a commanding 48-27 victory over Brooks, securing a spot in the Alabama High School Athletic Association football playoff semifinals for the first time. The 11-2 Wildcats leaned on the prowess of record-breaking quarterback Brandon Musch, who dazzled with a stellar performance in the Class 4A quarterfinals.
Musch, the senior sensation, orchestrated a remarkable display, amassing 329 total yards and sprinting into the end zone six times for Westminster. Carrying the ball 25 times, Musch bulldozed his way to 261 rushing yards and showcased precision in the air, completing 10-of-12 passes for an additional 68 yards.
His career statistics now boast an impressive 13,970 total yards with 193 touchdowns, securing his place as the second all-time leader in the AHSAA, trailing only Piedmonts Jack Hayes.
Henry Clauch played a vital role, contributing 155 rushing yards with a touchdown and hauling in 4 passes for 35 yards during the memorable win.
Westminster’s defense stepped up, delivering crucial turnovers in the second half. Zeke Carwile intercepted a pass, while Isaiah Shingleton recovered a fumble late in the game, thwarting any hopes of a Brooks comeback.
The Wildcats set the tone with an 80-yard drive on their opening possession, culminating in Musch’s 18-yard touchdown run. Although Brooks briefly equalized with a 1-yard touchdown run by Omoro Joyner, Musch and Claunch responded with a 10-yard rushing score each, propelling the visitors to a 21-7 lead.
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Joyner managed a 6-yard touchdown to narrow the gap, but Musch orchestrated another scoring drive, capping it with a 10-yard touchdown just before halftime.
Brooks fought back, closing the deficit to 28-21 in the third quarter with a 9-yard touchdown by quarterback Garrett Burrough. However, Westminster asserted its dominance, with Musch adding a 1-yard touchdown and Noah Gregg scoring to secure a 35-27 advantage.
Musch extinguished any hopes of a Brooks comeback with explosive touchdown runs of 54 and 56 yards, sealing Westminster Christian’s historic journey to the playoff semifinals.