WEST FORK SPOILS KINGWOOD PARK HOMECOMING WITH 34-16 DISTRICT-OPENING WIN
Gators force three interceptions, rush for 220 yards and pull away in the fourth quarter to improve to 3-1
West Fork opened district play in impressive fashion Thursday night, going on the road to Turner Stadium and defeating Kingwood Park 34-16 on the Panthers’ Homecoming night.
The Gators used a balanced effort on both sides of the ball, rushing for 220 yards while the defense intercepted three passes. West Fork led 20-10 at halftime before Kingwood Park pulled within four in the third quarter, but the Gators answered with 14 unanswered points in the fourth to put the game away.
The victory improves West Fork to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district play.
GATORS RESPOND AFTER EARLY FIELD GOAL
Kingwood Park struck first with a field goal at the 4:03 mark of the opening quarter, taking an early 3-0 lead.
West Fork answered late in the period.
With just 20 seconds remaining, Kaden Simmons powered into the end zone on a 4-yard touchdown run. The extra point was unsuccessful, but the score gave West Fork a 6-3 advantage heading into the second quarter.
It was the beginning of another productive night for Simmons, who finished with 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt.
WHITELOW FLIPS MOMENTUM WITH 80-YARD PICK-SIX
One of the biggest plays of the night came almost immediately in the second quarter.
With 9:29 remaining, Jayden Whitelow intercepted a Kingwood Park pass and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown, giving the Gators their first defensive score of the night and providing a major momentum swing.
Kingwood Park responded with a touchdown to cut West Fork’s advantage, but the Gators had another answer before halftime.
Quarterback Tyler Gilliam connected with De’Juan Kizzie for a 40-yard touchdown, extending the West Fork lead to 20-10.
The Gator defense wasn’t finished.
With only 27 seconds remaining before halftime, Javen Nededog intercepted Kingwood Park, ending another Panthers possession and sending West Fork into the locker room with a 10-point advantage.
KINGWOOD PARK MAKES THIRD-QUARTER PUSH
Kingwood Park threatened to change the direction of the game coming out of halftime.
The Panthers intercepted West Fork with 6:53 remaining in the third quarter and eventually capitalized with a touchdown at the 2:40 mark.
The extra point was unsuccessful, leaving West Fork clinging to a 20-16 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
With the district opener hanging in the balance, the Gators responded.
WEST FORK FINISHES STRONG
West Fork entered the fourth quarter protecting a four-point lead and proceeded to take control.
Simmons scored his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run with 10:20 remaining, extending the Gators’ advantage.
Then the defense struck again.
Nededog recorded his second interception of the game with 7:23 remaining, giving West Fork its third interception of the night and another opportunity to put the game away. Nededog finished with six total tackles, five solo stops, a tackle for loss and two interceptions.
Gilliam eventually finished the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:20 remaining, pushing West Fork’s advantage to 34-16 and putting the finishing touches on the district-opening victory.
The fourth quarter reflected West Fork’s message entering the week: “Start Fast. Finish Strong.”
The Gators did exactly that when the game mattered most, outscoring Kingwood Park 14-0 in the final period.
SIMMONS LEADS 220-YARD RUSHING ATTACK
West Fork leaned heavily on its ground game, finishing with 220 rushing yards on 30 carries while averaging 7.3 yards per attempt.
Simmons led the attack with his 136 yards and two touchdowns, while Addis Mathews added 37 yards on five carries. Gilliam rushed for 19 yards and a touchdown, Landon Walker added 12 yards and Noah Henry contributed nine.
Through the air, Gilliam completed 4 of 9 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown, with Kizzie providing the biggest play on his 40-yard touchdown reception.
Marshaun Warmley added two receptions for 28 yards.
West Fork finished the night with 289 yards of total offense and scored four offensive touchdowns.
DEFENSE CREATES THREE TAKEAWAYS
While the offense controlled the game on the ground, West Fork’s defense repeatedly took the football away from Kingwood Park.
The Gators intercepted three passes, highlighted by Whitelow’s 80-yard touchdown return and Nededog’s two interceptions. Whitelow also recorded a pass breakup.
Gary Pearce led the Gators with 10 total tackles, including five solo stops, and recorded two pressures. Jayden Salas finished with seven tackles, two pressures and a pass breakup, while Orion Redus recorded five tackles and a pressure.
The defensive front consistently generated pressure as well.
Lenton Slay Johnson recorded six tackles and four pressures, Kelton Charles finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss and four pressures, and Greg Rogers added three tackles and two pressures.
Elijah Smith added five tackles, a tackle for loss and a team-high five pressures.
The defensive effort helped keep Kingwood Park off the scoreboard entirely in the fourth quarter while West Fork pulled away.
GATORS OPEN DISTRICT PLAY 1-0
West Fork entered Turner Stadium looking to begin district competition on the right foot. The Gators left having accomplished exactly that — while also spoiling Kingwood Park’s Homecoming night.
After Kingwood Park cut the lead to 20-16 late in the third quarter, West Fork responded by scoring the game’s final 14 points and shutting out the Panthers over the final 12 minutes.
The result moves the Gators to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in district play as the focus shifts to another district matchup.
NEXT UP: PORTER
West Fork will return to action against Porter High School as the Gators look to build on their district-opening victory and continue the momentum from a strong start to the 2026 season.
FINAL: WEST FORK 34, KINGWOOD PARK 16
WEST FORK SPOILS KINGWOOD PARK HOMECOMING WITH 34-16 DISTRICT-OPENING WIN
