The Warriors’ unbeaten run this season came to an end on September 26th as Omaha Central handed them their first loss of the season in a dramatic and hard-fought contest. In front of a home crowd that hadn’t witnessed a Westside defeat in several years, the Warriors in the end fell 31–28. The game was defined by a difficult first half, where the Warriors found themselves in a 21–0 hole at halftime. Despite a big rally in the second half that brought them within striking distance, the early deficit proved too much to overcome. This defeat not only snapped their impressive winning streak but also served as a reminder of how costly a slow start can be when facing a strong opponent.
Even in defeat, several Warriors players had standout performances. Running back Tay Tay Jenkins was a constant spark for the offense, totaling 108 rushing yards and scoring a touchdown on the ground. Additionally, Jenkins added four receptions for a remarkable 164 yards, including two short catches that he turned into long touchdown runs, showcasing his explosiveness and versatility. Quarterback Braylen Warren nearly brought the Warriors back into contention with an impressive 294 passing yards, throwing three touchdown passes with one interception near the end of the game. His performance highlighted the offensive firepower that kept Westside within reach until the very last moments of the game. But in the end, they were unable to stop Central, and suffered the first loss of the season.
With their first setback behind them, the Warriors entered the following week with a clear sense of purpose and plenty to prove. Practices were noticeably sharper, the urgency on the field was raised, and the team’s focus was clear: respond the right way to adversity. Their next challenge came on the road against a formidable Fremont squad on Friday, which entered the game with a 4-1 record. This matchup was an opportunity to demonstrate whether the tough loss to Omaha Central would linger as a setback or instead serve as fuel for the team’s motivation.
Westside made its intentions clear from the opening whistle, delivering a dominant 63–7 victory on the road. The Warriors exploded for 316 total yards on just 25 plays, averaging over 12 yards per snap, a testament to their offensive efficiency and explosiveness. Running back Tay Tay Jenkins continued his breakout season in spectacular fashion, rushing for 146 yards and scoring four touchdowns on the ground. Meanwhile, Warren added 89 passing yards and two touchdown passes through the air, helping to keep the offense balanced and dynamic. The defense was just as impressive, forcing four turnovers and returning two interceptions for touchdowns, effectively shutting down Fremont’s offense and setting the tone early.
Junior quarterback Braylen Warren emphasized the simplicity of the team’s message going into the game: respond.
“We just had to come back and respond,” Warren said. “That loss against Central really humbled us, so we worked on our keys in practice and made sure we were locked in. Responding the right way was the key word for us this week.”
His words reflected the team’s collective mindset and determination to bounce back stronger than ever. Warren also credited the defense for making his job easier on offense.
“It makes it a lot easier on my part,” Warren said. “Having that short field and those pick sixes gave us so much momentum. The defense really carried us early and kept the energy going all game.”
Defensive back Eli Johnson was one of those playmakers, intercepting a pass and taking it 55 yards to the end zone. Johnson described the team’s defensive mindset as one focused on turning preparation into results.
“We knew we had to make a statement after last week,” Johnson said. “Everyone was flying around, doing their job, and we just fed off each other’s energy.”
Looking ahead to two tough upcoming matchups against Elkhorn South and Creighton Prep, Warren stressed the importance of consistency.
“We just have to stay humble and keep grinding,” Warren said. “We can’t let what happened against Central happen again. We’ve got to stay focused in practice and keep building.”
His emphasis on hard work captures the team’s commitment to maintaining their high level of play throughout the remainder of the season.
The blowout win moved Westside to 5-1 on the season, a convincing bounce-back after their first defeat. With momentum back on their side and confidence restored, the Warriors looked every bit like the team that began the year atop Class A rankings. The performance served as a reminder of what Westside football truly looks like when all three phases of the game come together: explosive on offense, disciplined on defense, and sharp on special teams. As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Warriors will look to carry that same energy into another tough matchup. They take on Elkhorn South on the road this Friday, October 10th, aiming to keep their momentum rolling and strengthen their push toward the postseason.
