Sylvania Finishes Second in Region

By Roger Scott Sports Reporter roger@southerntorch.com

The Sylvania Rams locked up second place in its region and earned the right to host a first-round playoff game by defeating Westbrook Christian 45-22 Friday night.

Braiden Thomas led the Rams with 184 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Westbrook Christian got on the board first with a run off right tackle by Maximus Jones at 9:07 in the first quarter. The

PAT was good for the 7-0 lead.

A bad snap on Sylvania’s opening drive put the Rams behind the chains and ultimately forced a punt for the change of possession. Sylvania’s defense held and forced the Warriors to punt.

Thomas picked up 50 yards while breaking tackles to move the ball to the Westbrook 35-yard line, and quarterback

Jaxon Smith connected with Josh Scott for the 35-yard touchdown to even the score at 7-0 after the

PAT.

After exchanging punts, the Rams defense forced another three-and-out and moved down the field behind Thomas’ rushing. Sophomore back Aiden Parham finished the drive early in the second quarter for the 14-0 lead after Conner Andrade’s PAT.

Westbrook fumbled the snap on its next possession, and Sylvania tacked on a field goal with 6:47 left in the half.

The Rams’ defense forced a Warriors punt from its own end zone, and Thomas followed blockers down the right sideline to the 5-yard line before punching it in for a score. Sylvania led 24-7 at the half.

Westbrook found life in the second half by blocking Sylvania’s punt and recovering the ball, but fumbled away the ball near the Rams goal line.

Parham added a 65-yard score for the 31-7 lead, and Westbrook returned the favor with a

33-yard touchdown pass to make the score 31-15 after a two-point conversion.

Thomas scored again on a 47-yard run and the 38-15 advantage. The Rams then recovered a Warriors fumble on the kickoff. Parham drove it in from seven yards out for another Sylvania score and the 45-15 lead.

Westbrook added a late touchdown to set the final score at 45-22.

Sylvania squares off with undefeated, 2A, No. 1 Fyffe Friday night.