With a thrilling 14-7 victory yesterday, the Westfield Blue Devils beat Ridge for the first time since 2017. In a game where they entered as underdogs, Westfield’s defense held strong, and the win was sealed by junior Luke Romano with a crucial red-zone interception. Behind senior quarterback Cole Weidler’s throws and touchdowns by juniors Jordan Walsh and Jack Schwarzenbek, the Blue Devils finished their regular season on a high note heading into the playoffs.
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Westfield’s players were determined to make every possession count. The Blue Devils showed a level of focus that had been inconsistent at times earlier in the season, tackling Ridge runners quickly and executing key plays on offense.
Head coach Matthew Andzel said the win was meaningful for the seniors and is great motivation heading into the playoffs. “We came in knowing that they’re a very good team. We haven’t beaten them since 2017. You’ve got to play with all heart in a game like this, leaving it all on the field. It was a senior’s last game at the stadium,” Andzel said, “They left it on the field. They did a great job. That was one of the top seeds that we just played. So they should have all the confidence in the world right now.”
The defensive line set the tone early, pressuring Ridge’s quarterback and forcing mistakes. That intensity carried throughout the game, turning defense into offensive opportunities.
Weidler also reflected on what it meant to close out the regular season like this, as it proved the team’s ability to play at a high level from start to finish. “We were fired up. We had a few tough losses back, but we changed some things up. We made sure to rely on the other side of the ball, trust in them, and use momentum as our strong suit,” he said, “Something we said was play all four quarters. We even did that once this year. I think we showed that we could play all four quarters through adversity and momentum.”
On the defensive side, all players stepped up in key moments, especially with a few injured starters. Senior Ben Seward shared that the team’s focus was on making the most of the night for the seniors, especially since it marked their last home game. “A lot of the underclassmen were saying, ‘do it for the seniors,’ since it was our last time playing here. We had a bunch of guys step up, especially with four injured starters on defense, and that was huge. This carries a lot of momentum into the playoffs; it shows we can actually beat a good team, not just the ones we usually beat,” Seward said.
As the game reached its final minutes, the tension rose. Ridge had opportunities to tie or take the lead, but Westfield’s defense held strong and set the stage for the game-winning play.
Romano’s interception in the end zone sealed the win, and he described the play as instinctive. “I was doing the pass rush, and the ball was deflected in the air, and I looked up and it came right to me. It was awesome. I never thought I would get an opportunity like that!” The crowd was ecstatic and Gary Kehler Stadium was roaring with energy. The Blue Devils finished out the win after an amazing QB sneak by Jordan Walsh. The team deserved the win and it is a great way for the seniors to have their last game at Gary Kehler Stadium.
The team hopes to build on the same energy and resilience that fueled their win over Ridge. For their first game of the playoffs, they play Montgomery at Montgomery High School at 6 pm on Friday. Westfield looks to put it all on the line and fight out a win against a tough opponent.
