Westside’s Spoon Risper ties Bibb County wins record as Seminoles trounce Rutland 57-18

The Westside Seminoles delivered an impressive performance Friday night, overpowering the Rutland Hurricanes with a decisive 57-18 victory. 

Right from the opening drive, Westside’s offense and defense operated like a well-oiled machine, setting a relentless pace that left Rutland scrambling. Head coach Spoon Risper and the Seminoles capitalized on every opportunity, showcasing both skill and strategy that kept the Hurricanes at bay.

Adding to the significance of the win, Risper reached a milestone, tying the record for the most wins by a coach at a Bibb County School District school. 

“I’m sorry, I’m kind of emotional,” Risper said after the game.  “It’s an honor to be tied for the most wins coached by a coach that coaches a Bibb County School District team. (Former Central coach) Tom Simonton had the record. He won 114 games at Central. I tied him tonight for first, and there’s only been three guys to win 100 games while coaching Bibb County school district teams. Robert Davis, Tom Simonton, and myself.” 

The Seminoles came out firing on all cylinders from the opening kickoff. After starting with excellent field position at their own 44-yardline, senior running back Kadiphius Iverson wasted no time putting points on the board and capped a short drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. 

This early score set the tone, and Westside’s offensive momentum only intensified. The extra point by Jeffry Garcia was good, quickly giving Westside a 7-0 lead with just over ten minutes left in the first quarter.

Rutland’s first possession showed promise thanks to an impressive kick return by Rashon Collier, but the Hurricanes struggled to sustain a drive. An aggressive Westside defense, led by standout linebacker Jayden Marshall, stifled Rutland’s rushing attempts and forced a turnover on downs. This paved the way for Westside’s offense to extend their lead in the most dramatic fashion of the night.

After a fumbled snap left Westside backed up on their own 4-yard line, Iverson demonstrated his explosiveness, ripping off a 96-yard TD run down the left sideline to the end zone. Garcia’s kick made it 14-0, and the Seminoles’ confidence visibly surged. 

“We just wanted to be physical and come to play physical ball,” Risper explained when discussing the team’s approach. “We ran the ball well. We wanted to establish the running game, and we did a good job establishing the running game.”

Iverson wasn’t the only offensive weapon in Westside’s arsenal. Senior running back Ki’moiray Holland made his presence known, adding three touchdowns of his own in the first quarter alone.

Holland’s powerful runs through Rutland’s defense brought the score to 28-0 by the end of the first, as he bulldozed through tackles and consistently picked up large chunks of yardage. This well-rounded offensive approach, mixing Iverson’s speed with Holland’s strength, kept Rutland guessing and left them on their heels.

The Hurricanes found a brief spark in the second quarter as quarterback Tyson White kept the ball and punched in a touchdown from the 1-yard line. Although they missed the PAT, Rutland’s spirits rose momentarily. The Hurricanes’ hope was quickly dashed, however, as Westside wide receiver Tristan Houston broke out for an incredible 95-yard touchdown run, extending Westside’s lead to 42-6.

The Seminole offense, showing no signs of slowing, continued to take advantage of Rutland’s defensive gaps.

By halftime, Westside had firmly established their dominance, leading 50-12. In the second half, Rutland continued to struggle as Westside’s defense shut down their every attempt. 

The Hurricanes’ lone success in the third quarter came from another play by White, who broke loose on a clever fake handoff and sprinted to the end zone. However, even as Rutland managed a final push, defensive leaders like Westside’s Sean Hollins and Daylen Harris applied relentless pressure, executing back-to-back sacks on White to stymie their momentum.

Reflecting on the game, Rutland’s coach, Anthony Williams, identified key issues. 

“Just locking in and doing what they’re supposed to do. We had too many busts in the first half,” he said. “Defensively, we had a bust on every play, so we didn’t really lock in the first half and didn’t give ourselves a chance to compete.” 

Williams did see promise in his team, especially in special teams and quarterback play. 

“I think the quarterback decision-making got a little bit better at times,” he said. “Our kickoff return teams are probably one of our strongest suits. They continue to show that they can do this thing, and we just got to put it all together.” 

In the game’s final quarter, Holland took charge once more, carrying the ball down the field on successive plays. With Westside facing fourth-and-goal at the Rutland six-yard line, quarterback James Neville connected with Paul Risper, who made a remarkable catch in heavy coverage, sealing the final touchdown for Westside and capping the score at 57-18. 

Westside’s special teams unit, led by kicker Garcia, continued to keep Rutland pinned back with well-executed kickoffs and perfect PATs, denying the Hurricanes any chance to close the gap.

As Westside looks to their final game, Risper spoke on the team’s focus.

“There are playoff implications. We want to of course win the game. Jackson is tough. I haven’t watched any of the film yet, but they are always tough, and they play sound football and they’re coached very well,” Risper said. “It’s not going to be an easy game at all.

“Any time you win, it’s a confidence builder. Of course, you’re always going to have things to correct.”

The Seminoles moved to 4-5 and 2-2 in the region with the win. Rutland dropped to 0-9 and 0-4.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated. An earlier version of the article stated that Jayden Williams scored a 95-yard touchdown for Westside. It was wide receiver Tristan Houston that caught the pass.