Westview Marches on with Big Win, Sets up Covington Showdown

It didn’t take long for Martin-Westview’s football team to sew up its victory with visiting McNairy Central Friday night.

By halftime, the Chargers were in full control with a 56-0 advantage. The Bobcats managed two second-half scores and the Chargers aimed for their regional title showdown with a 56-14 triumph.

That sets up Westview’s showdown with the other Chargers in Region 7-3A: Covington. Both are 9-0, 3-0 in the region and will battle 7 p.m. Friday at UT-Martin’s H.K. Grantham Field for the regional title.

Westview freshman quarterback Graham Simpson eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark for the season with his first-half performance. He was 13-of-14 passing for 184 yards and three touchdowns. His 56-yard TD pass to Asa Barnes in the first quarter pushed Simpson over the plateau. For the season, Simpson has completed 113 of 142 passes for 2,139 yards without an interception.

 Barnes led the Charger ground game with five carries for 38 yards. Miles Brown had three catches for 55 yards and two TDs. Brown also had two interception returns for scores, one for 39 yards, the other from 28. He also had a 38-yard kickoff return for 166 total yards.

Cooper Spaulding tacked on a 20-yard touchdown run. Donteze Joy hauled in three catches for 31 yards and ran in a two-point conversion.

Jayce Cook converted 6 of 7 PATs.

For the game, Martin-Westview outgained the Bobcats 303-151. On the ground, Westview rambled for 14 times for 106 yards. Central had 19 carries for 46 yards, much of that coming on one 39-yard run. Through the air, the Chargers were 17-24 for 197 yards and an interception. McNairy managed only 109 yards on six completions in 18 attempts. The Bobcats were picked off three times.

Should Westview defeat Covington Friday, it would host the first two rounds of the playoffs. If Covington wins, Westview will host Round 1 and could host Round 2 if Bolivar wins its first-round game.

Covington hammered host Ripley 59-7 last week. Westview blanked Ripley 49-0 during Week 6 of the season at UTM during a deluge brought on by Tropical Rainstorm Helene.