Jakob Arnarsson is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Westwood High School for AZPreps365.com.

MESA — With just over seven minutes remaining in Friday, Nov. 6, night’s football game, Westwood needed a dagger. 

While holding a one-point lead in front of their home fans, the Warriors faced a third-down play near the goal line. Three yards stood between the Warriors and an eight-point lead.

More importantly, Westwood’s postseason hopes were on the line. In their regular-season finale, the Warriors knew that to give themselves a chance to earn a playoff spot, they needed a win. 

It was never in doubt whose hands the ball would be in. Throughout the game, junior quarterback Gavin Gleave repeatedly powered through defenders in short-yardage situations. He would do it again, securing Westwood’s 22-14 win over Salpointe Catholic.

“He is a very, very tough kid,” Westwood head coach Brandon Large said. “The moment's never too big for him, and so we feel really comfortable with the ball in his hands.”

The Warriors lined up in an empty backfield, trusting Gleave to power his way himself. He took the direct snap, making contact with the defense about a yard short of the goal line. He kept his legs churning, powering in for the touchdown. 

It proved to be the final score of the game, giving the Warriors their first win in region play. It extended Salpointe’s losing streak to three.

Entering the contest, the Warriors (5-5, 1-3 Southern) ranked 21st in 6A, one game outside the playoff picture. With their postseason aspirations on the line, Westwood approached the matchup like an early playoff game. 

“Our guys played like it could be their last, and they left it all out there,” Large said. “I'm really proud of them.” 

The Warriors hoped their wins over Salpointe and Shadow Ridge would be enough to qualify them for playoffs. 

“I'm super proud of our players for doing this for our community,” Large said. We’re excited, and hopefully we can go and make a little run here.”

Despite the win, Westwood ranking remained unchanged, leaving the Warriors outside the playoff picture.

Junior wide receiver/linebacker Benjamin Atwood helped set the tone against Salpointe. He totaled over 120 yards receiving, including two swing passes that he broke for gains of 30 or more yards. He also scored the first touchdown of the game for the Warriors, breaking several tackles before extending the ball over the pylon. 

Maybe his biggest play came on defense. With Salpointe facing a third-and-7, down eight with less than six minutes to go, Atwood sacked sophomore quarterback Amil Deon. It forced the Lancers to punt the football back to the Warriors.

“He is a phenomenal kid that does everything right,” Large said. “It's no surprise that he makes big plays when they need to be made. I'm super proud of him.”

Westwood reciever Benjamin Atwood running between two Salpointe defenders. Atwood led the game in receiving yards, finishing with 126. (Jakob Arnarsson/AZPreps365)At the start of the game, it seemed like it would be the Lancers' (3-7, 0-4) day. On the first play from scrimmage, junior running back Yashaya Henry broke off a 62-yard rushing touchdown.

It was the only offensive score of the night for the Lancers. The rest of the game saw Westwood control the trenches. Gleave and senior running back Keshawn Barkus acted as the dual threat, rushing for 186 yards combined. 

“We probably had about 10, 12 plays the whole second half,” Salpointe head coach Patrick Ryden said. “They kept us off the field. I think that was the difference in the second half.”

Gleave added two passing touchdowns along with his rushing score. The Lancers' only other score after Henry’s opening run came on a punt return by senior Bondi Jake. 

Despite the loss, Salpointe kept its ranking at 19, enough to qualify for the 6A playoffs.

“They're going to have to do some soul-searching,” Ryden said. “It's been a really, really tough year. Depth-wise and injury-wise. But I told our guys a long time ago we're not going to be a program about excuses… We're just going to keep playing.”

Salpointe wide reciever/defensive back Kendren Bourguet walking off the field after Westwood secured their 22-14 victory. Despite the loss, Salpointe qualified for the 6A playoffs and are set to take on No.14 Red Mountain on Nov. 13. (Jakob Arnarsson/AZPreps365)