Dickerson ignites momentum in Westside's victory over rival Prep
“You’ve got to go get it!”
An infuriated head coach Brett Froendt could be seen yelling along the Omaha Westside sideline as longtime rival and fourth-ranked Omaha Creighton Prep scored the first points of the Friday night matchup: a safety. Luke Sims sacked Cole Payton in the end zone less than four minutes into play, sending shockwaves throughout Benson Stadium.
53 seconds later, Westside sophomore defensive back Avante Dickerson took an interception to town for a 40-yard touchdown. That play was just the start of what would become 37 unanswered points for the seventh-ranked Warriors.
“[The interception] changed the momentum and everything,” Froendt said. “He made a big play and he’s a big-time player.”
Westside went on to score a field goal and four rushing touchdowns to seal their first win in the rivalry since 2015. Senior Joe Stegman, who rushed for two touchdowns on the night, accredited his production to the offensive line.
“The offensive line, really, was the one that got it,” Stegman said. “They even had an injury, and they were still pushing them around, so that’s what won us the game.”
The Warrior defense has allowed just 34 points this season — an average of 6.8 per game. Not only did Westside manage to put points on the board, but their defense also contained Luke Sims and the Junior Jays' dangerous offense. According to defensive coordinator Justin Haberman, their success comes down to execution.
“The defensive staff went in with a great game plan,” Haberman said. “The kids executed it to perfection. They got into film, they got into our game plan, and just did a tremendous job.”
The 5-0 Warriors will return to the gridiron on Friday, September 28. Catch them at Omaha Northwest. Prep, holding a 3-2 record, will look to bounce back next Friday night when they host Columbus.
