West Football Falls to Newfield, Starts Season 0-2

While the game was 48 minutes long, all the scoring took place in the last minute in Newfield’s 13-7 defeat of West.

With 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Newfield quarterback Mike Silva connected with Julian Santiago for a touchdown, putting them up 6-0 over West. The extra point was no good.

After a 38-yard kickoff return by Peter Tiranno and drive that brought West deep into Newfield territory, Silva intercepted West quarterback Matt Heldberg’s pass at the one yard line and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. After the extra point, Newfield was up 13-0.

West, however, would not give up as Tiranno returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown with seven seconds on the clock.

“Personally, I didn’t want to give up, going into the last quarter, the last play I wanted to end it with a bang,” Tirrano said of his kickoff return.

West senior Zack Naja said the return gave the Bulls hope of pulling off the win.

“I was very ecstatic because he’s a very young player and it was a momentum boost even though it was late in the game,” he said.

While the hope was there, the failed attempt at an onside kick sealed the win for Newfield.

The game was a defensive battle, but West had trouble containing Newfield running back Zach Powell, who had 133 yards on 25 carries.

“My offense did a great job, the line came through big,” Powell said of his performance.

With the loss, West is now 0-2 on the season.

While West is winless on the season, coach Pete Cerullo said he is not worried.

“I think that the kids now have a good feeling about themselves as a team, they know how much it [losing] hurts now and I think it’s going to be beneficial for us from here on out,” he said.

Naja said this loss is fuel to come out strong for their next game.

“We’re going to use that [the loss] for motivation. We’re going to watch this film, we’re going to watch how good we were and how we should have won the game,” he said.

The senior receiver/defensive end said their next opponent, Deer Park, would have their hands full for the West homecoming game Sept. 24.

“I feel bad for Deer Park, we’re coming out hard.”