Westfield looks for first road win at reigning GIAA 4A champion Stratford Academy | Game of the Week

Westfield hasn’t won a road game this year, but they’re hoping for their first as they visit the reigning GIAA 4A champion, Stratford Academy, on Friday.

The Hornets’ (3-2) struggles away from home can be summed up by an inconsistent offense outside of quarterback Brock Johnson and tough competition.

First Presbyterian Day (4-1) forced Johnson into four interceptions and 15-for-32 (46%) through the air and the Vikings mostly hemmed up his run game.

If you take away his longest run of 17 yards, his 13 carries for 59 yards dips to a 4.5 average.

Bulloch Academy (4-1) all but shut down Johnson outside of a late two-yard touchdown run. A late fumble sealed their fate.

There’s no clear go-to on the ground outside of the quarterback position. No player other than Johnson has recorded 10 or more carries in all five games this season, and there’s only been two that someone tallied double digit yards — both Stone St. Clair.

Against FPD, St. Clair ran twice for 16 yards. At home against Southwest Georgia he had three carries for 126 yards (65-yard longest run).

Stratford only allowed 21 points through their first three games, though they were upset by 2A Whitefield Academy on Friday.

No team has offered a strong running performance against the Eagles.

Windsor Academy eked out 67 yards on 4.2 yards per carry and St. Anne-Pacelli (whose stats are skewed by sacks and a 57-yard run) was down to 3.5 yards per carry on 84 yards.

Even Whitefield Academy, who lit up the Stratford secondary with 342 passing yards, four touchdowns and multiple receptions of over 40 yards, could only get 3.2 yards per carry on 83 yards.

The Eagles, while not stellar in this aspect, consistently get in their opponents’ backfield. Defensive end Travis Dugger Jr. is responsible for seven of Stratford’s 24 tackles for a loss. The team average comes out to six a game.

The offense has proven it’s capable of putting up big numbers; The Eagles scored 46 against St. Anne-Pacelli, 38 against Brookstone in a shutout and put 35 on Windsor Academy.

Sophomore Aaron Jefferson leads the ground game with 33 carries for 207 yards and five touchdowns. He also has the highest yards per carry (of those with more than one or two) with 6.3. Morris Butler has contributed 42 carries for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Tucker Johnston has been an efficient machine in their victories. Against Brookstone he was 9-for-13 (69%) for 150 yards and at St. Anne-Pacelli he was 13-for-18 (72%)  for 133 yards. In the season opener against Windsor Academy he threw 7-for-12 (58%) for 119 yards.

Kickoff is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Macon.