On a day when the West Springfield football team dropped to 1-4 while surrendering 45 second-half points to T.C. Williams, Spartans sophomore Jonathan Dunn used the Oct. 2 contest to show off his versatility. The running back scored three touchdowns — one on the ground, one through the air and one on special teams — during West Springfield’s 52-27 loss at T.C. Williams.
After a 17-yard field goal gave the Titans a 17-0 advantage late in the third quarter, Dunn got the Spartans on the board by returning the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.
No. 26 was just getting started.
T.C. Williams scored in the opening minute of the fourth quarter to take a 38-14 lead, but Dunn had an answer. On the Spartans’ ensuing play from scrimmage, Dunn carried the ball through the middle of the line before breaking to his left and racing 80 yards for a touchdown.
On West Springfield’s next possession, facing fourth-and-11 from its own 49-yard line, Dunn caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Colter Stehl on a trick play, cutting the Titans’ lead to 38-27. Dunn then recovered the Spartans’ ensuing onside kick to keep the team alive with 4:54 to play. West Springfield moved the ball into Titans territory but T.C. Williams returned an interception for a touchdown to seal the victory.
Dunn finished with 108 rushing yards in 14 attempts and three receptions for 54 yards. Phillip Rowley also scored a touchdown for the Spartans, hauling in a 35-yard pass from Michael Kim on a trick play.
Stehl completed 15 of 24 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted three times.
The loss dropped West Springfield’s Patriot District record to 0-2. After winning their opener against Edison, 29-14, the Spartans have lost four straight. West Springfield will host South County on Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. The Stallions are also off to a 1-4 start, including a 0-2 mark in the district.
— Jon Roetman