GATOR FOOTBALL BEATS HUFFMAN 42-40

WEST FORK SURVIVES THRILLER, DEFEATS HUFFMAN HARGRAVE 42-40

Gators make crucial plays in all three phases to improve to 2-0

The West Fork Gators were tested until the final moments Thursday night, but a series of big plays on offense, defense and special teams helped the Gators escape with a thrilling 42-40 victory over the Huffman Hargrave Falcons.

West Fork led early, trailed entering the fourth quarter and ultimately needed one final defensive stand to preserve the victory.

The win moves the Gators to 2-0 on the season following their 20-3 season-opening victory over Alief Elsik.

SPECIAL TEAMS SPARKS FAST START

West Fork’s special teams made its presence felt almost immediately.

The Gators recovered a muffed Hargrave punt in the first quarter, setting up West Fork’s first touchdown of the night.

Later in the opening quarter, Landon Walker provided another game-changing special-teams play, returning a punt for a touchdown to help West Fork build a 14-7 advantage after one quarter.

Hargrave responded in the second quarter and had an opportunity to even the game just before halftime, but Javen Nededog broke through and blocked the Falcons’ extra-point attempt.

The block proved crucial, allowing West Fork to carry a 21-20 advantage into the locker room.

HARGRAVE TAKES CONTROL IN THIRD

The Falcons continued to battle after halftime and eventually swung the game in their favor.

Hargrave outscored West Fork in the third quarter and entered the final period with a 34-28 advantage, putting the Gators in their first fourth-quarter deficit of the season.

West Fork responded with 14 points in the final quarter to regain the lead, but Hargrave had one more opportunity.

The Falcons scored late to pull within two at 42-40 and attempted a two-point conversion that would have tied the game.

West Fork’s defense answered.

The Gators denied the conversion attempt, preserving their two-point advantage and ultimately securing a dramatic 42-40 victory.

SIMMONS LEADS WEST FORK GROUND ATTACK

Kaden Simmons delivered a big night out of the West Fork backfield, carrying the ball 14 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Simmons averaged 7.6 yards per carry and accounted for three of the Gators’ six touchdowns.

Quarterback Tyler Gilliam also contributed on the ground, rushing seven times for 40 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, Gilliam completed 6 of 14 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Ronald Stagger provided the scoring connection in the passing game, hauling in a 24-yard touchdown reception.

Kaden Ferguson added 33 rushing yards on six carries, while Addis Mathews contributed 16 yards on five attempts. Noah Henry rushed twice for 13 yards, and Emiliano Hinostroza added seven yards on his lone carry.

West Fork finished the night with 215 rushing yards and 290 yards of total offense.

SPECIAL TEAMS PROVES CRITICAL

In a game decided by only two points, West Fork’s special teams played a major role from beginning to end.

The Gators recovered a muffed punt that led to their first touchdown, Walker returned another punt for a touchdown, and Nededog blocked an extra point just before halftime.

No. 81 Trevor Wilson was also perfect in his debut for the Gators, converting all six of his PAT attempts.

Those plays became even more significant as the night progressed. In a game where every point mattered, West Fork consistently found ways to gain an advantage in the kicking game.

DEFENSE DELIVERS WHEN IT MATTERS MOST

Jayden Whitelow led the West Fork defense with 10 total tackles, including nine solo stops. King Wiltz also recorded 10 total tackles, while Mason Evans-Pickens and Gary Pearce each finished with nine.

Javen Nededog and Orien Redus added seven tackles apiece.

The Gators finished with six tackles for loss, while Nathan Estrada and Jayden Salas each recorded a sack.

Nededog continued his impact with an interception, giving the Gators another takeaway to go along with his blocked extra point.

But West Fork’s biggest defensive play came with the game hanging in the balance.

After Hargrave scored in the fourth quarter to make it 42-40, the Falcons attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game. West Fork’s defense denied the attempt, keeping the Gators in front and helping seal the victory.

GATORS FIND A WAY TO WIN

West Fork’s first two victories of the 2026 season could hardly have looked more different.

After holding Alief Elsik to just three points in a 20-3 season-opening victory, the Gators found themselves in a back-and-forth battle against Hargrave.

This time, West Fork needed contributions from every phase.

A muffed-punt recovery helped produce the first touchdown. Walker added a punt-return touchdown. Nededog blocked an extra point and recorded an interception. Wilson was perfect on all six PATs. The offense produced 290 yards, and when Hargrave had an opportunity to tie the game late, the defense came up with the stop it needed.

The result was a 42-40 victory and a 2-0 start to the 2026 season for the Gators.

FINAL: WEST FORK 42, HUFFMAN HARGRAVE 40