One person said it was the “best game of the season”. Another person said it was an “amazing game”. Whatever term or phrase you use to describe the Junior Midget Playoff Game between Forestview and Westside, it probably equates to something good. That’s just how good this game was.
The Forestview Tigers came into the contest undefeated at 7-0. They had an unblemished division record at 5-0, including a 12-0 win against Westside earlier in the season. They were led by Quarterback Fred Davis and Running back Tyreke Saunders who made big plays all season for the Tigers. In the game it started just like the regular season. 
#2 Quarterback Fred Davis took a read option keep around the left side and turned it up to outrace the Westside defenders for the game’s first touchdown. Davis was spectacular on the evening. He next would throw a strike to #6 Wide Receiver James Simmons who caught it in stride and flew to the endzone for the second touchdown of the game. He also added an interception in the contest as well. But Westside would come back. #24 Westside QB Kenneth Samuels led the team down field and punched it in for a one yard score on a QB sneak. And now it was time for the Wildcats defense to step up. The defense would hold the Tigers on their next several possessions including forcing a fumble and recovering it in Tigers territory. Westside could not capitalize on the early turnovers however as Forestview’s defense held tough. An interception by #5 of Westside kept Forestview from increasing their lead. Fario Harrison showed blazing speed and agility on the field.
Critical mistakes plagued the Tigers on the evening allowing Westside to gain confidence. In our playoff preview we noted that this Westside teams plays with a lot of emotion, and that could be dangerous for many teams. Well Westside definitely increased the intensity when Samuels threw a beautiful deep ball down the left sideline over the defenders out stretched arms that allowed Wide Receiver James Rebfro to sky for it and come down in stride for the 60 yard touchdown. 
The conversion was good by Westside’s tail back #2 who blazed to the corner pylon around four defenders untouched. It would put Westside up 15-14.
But Forestview had one more chance as Davis drove his ball club down the field. The Tigers had the ball on the Wildcat’s one yard line setting up what was supposed to be an incredible finish. Unfortunately it was marred with controversy. Forestview attempted a Quarterback sneak on second down to which the ball carrier seemed to have broken the plane of the end zone. However the line judge on the play ruled that Davis was down at the one inch line. The very next play, Forestview attempted a QB sneak again, when the Westside defense recovered the fumble on a botched snap and ended the game in dramatic fashion. Westside-15 vs Forestview-14
Controversy or not, the game was one for the ages. An upset many did not see coming, but a matchup many knew would be close. 
Forestview without question was disappointed for not getting the W, after going undefeated in the regular season. Yet they should be proud of their accomplishments this season on the field. Westside, after losing to Sweetwater in double overtime just weeks earlier will see their rivals Grandpark to decide the city championship in Junior Midget Pop Warner Football. With their enormous win last Saturday they’ve proven to many that they are a different team than earlier in the season. Which makes way for another incredible matchup of some of Duval’s finest athletes.
