Football Recap: Westwood Keeps Desert Vista's Under Pressure

The Westwood Warriors strolled past the Desert Vista Thunder with points to spare on Friday, taking the game 35-21. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Warriors.

Elliot Reed

Rushing Yards

09/26/25 vs Desert Vista	131
09/05/25 vs Desert Ridge	124
09/19/25 vs McClintock	120
08/29/25 @ Burbank	65
09/12/25 @ Shadow Ridge	53

Keshawn Barkus continued his habit of posting crazy stat lines, rushing for 289 yards and three scores. Elliot Reed helped out on the ground, rushing for 131 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Westwood's run defense was locked in: Desert Vista could only muster 2.7 yards per carry. While two picked up at least nine total tackles, Dax Clark stood above the rest. He picked up a sack and made nine total tackles (2.0 for loss). Westwood didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 6.8.

Westwood's defense didn't let Seth Hanson., get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for three sacks. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: Clark, Apaiata Tengei, and Nate WIllis, who each picked up one sack apiece. Clark was another major factor on D, picking up a sack and making nine total tackles (2.0 for loss).

Desert Vista's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kyler Drunasky, who rushed for 52 yards and one touchdown, and also picked up 87 receiving yards. Drunasky was no stranger to the big play, cutting upfield on a catch that went for 64 yards. Another passer making a difference was Hanson, who threw for 217 yards and one TD.

Westwood now has a winning record of 3-2. As for Desert Vista, they now have a losing record of 2-3.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Westwood will take on Basha at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Bears' defense has only allowed 14 points per game this season, so the Warriors' offense will have their work cut out for them. As for Desert Vista, they will square off against ALA - Queen Creek at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. That matchup will pit two of the most dominant backs against one another: Drunasky and Bobby Nesbit.