Significantly contributing to this article is Athens High School senior Caroline Roberts, an aspiring sports journalist.

West Limestone showed toughness and a strong will to keep competing, but the visiting Deshler Tigers would win on Friday night by a final score of 50-17.

The Wildcats were forced to adjust on the fly after losing multiple players over the course of the game. Out of respect for the players and their families, their names will not be divulged in The News Courier.

However, the injuries had a major impact on the game, and West’s head coach Shelby Davis commends his team for their willingness to stay tough and persistent.

“Anything bad that could happen, did happen. We just had to keep playing the next play,” Davis said.

Game summary

Deshler started the game with a 60-yard run by No. 1, Demarion Newsome. However, a 15-yard holding penalty would leave The Tigers with 3rd and 5 in the red zone they would not convert. Their field goal attempt was no good and West would get the ball.

However, after Colin Patterson completed a 9-yard pass to Mewbourne, Easton Smith would pick up a first down, but the drive stalls.

West’s first punt of the game by Patterson would end up being blocked.

Deshler regains possession of the ball and would get a first down run into West territory. West defense continues to battle, holding them on third down. However, Deshler goes for it on 4th down as Simeon Malone rushes for a 25-yard touchdown. 7-0 Deshler.

West would respond on the next drive. Patterson would complete passes to No. 11, Preston Moore, and No. 13, Haven Helms, while Easton Smith would pick up first downs on the drive. Colin Patterson would pick up a pivotal first down, picking up 25 yards and placing West on the 10 yard line. West would end up attempting a field goal to make it 7-3 Deshler.

No. 30 for West, Zack Davis, would then make a huge play by recovering a fumble for the Wildcats.

However, they were not able to take advantage of the momentum and were forced to punt back to Deshler, who would then take it to the house from about 49 yards out.

The score would be 14-3 when the Tigers would begin making plays versus a West team that showed a desire to never quit and made some plays of their own from players such as Patterson, Helms and Smith.

After going up 17-3, Deshler would block another punt, this time for a touchdown to make it 24-3.

However, Easton Smith would score on a run from around 12 yards out following a muffed punt and a recovery by West to make the score 24-10. West, still in arms reach, keeps fighting.

Deshler’s running attack, with multiple players contributing in the game, would score a few more touchdowns on runs to make the score 44-10.

West would score again on a pass from Patterson to Helms from just over 20 yards out. Helms would make a play on the ball that was one of his best catches on the season.

The final score would be 50-17.

West Limestone, now at the end of a 3-game home streak that saw them go 2-1, move on to game 2 of their regional competition when they travel to Brooks High School to take on the Lions, who lost to West Morgan 53-7 last Friday.