QB Marshyl Rothman, 27-1 as a starter in his career, picked up right where he left off by throwing for four touchdowns and running for the other. The rising junior who lit up the camp/combine circuit, once again showed what a play-maker and winner he is. Those are pretty much the two qualities that you want in a QB and no one is better or more proven than Rothman. He ended up throwing for more than 200 yards and made several spectacular plays with his feet.
His favorite target was Westin Pedersen who hauled in TD passes of 19, 58, and 63 yards. Pedersen has quietly built on his impressive junior campaign with a strong off-season.
Just in case you are a little slow to the party and still question this team....they won this game without the state's top two way player Will Powers. Powers is a horse at RB(1,904 yards) and is a tackling machine at LB(126 stops). Fortunately, there still was more than one "Powers" (Head Coach Bill Powers) in the house, rising sophomore Ryan Powers had a tremendous game including an interception on the goal line. Wes Wallace also had a great game, flying to the football, and making plays.
Westwood is a young ball club, but the return of talented WR Leon Shorter is reason for optimism. He hauled in a 22 yard touchdown in the third quarter. Big things are expected from him next fall.
Offensively, Westwood showed the parts that with some experience could make a dangerous unit. Would be sophomore QB Tavares Copeland went 13 for 26 for 161 yards and a TD and two RB's had solid performances: Cameron Toombs ran for 112 yards on 20 carries and Wolf Shaw added 71 yards on 12 carries.
The good news for the defense is that they won't see as talented and experienced of QB next fall as they saw on Thursday night.
Jupiter Christian will now look forward to trying to three-peat in 2009. They also have four 'big school' tests next season: Jensen Beach(3A), Lake Worth(5A), Glades Central(2A), and South Fork(4A). In addition, their Fall Jamboree will be played against defending 1A State Champion North Florida Christian in Tallahassee. Expect that game to have more intensity then the standard Jamboree game.