The Westside Warriors closed out their regular season in dominant fashion, showing everyone why they deserve the number one seed heading into the playoffs. It all started with their huge win over rival Creighton Prep, where they not only handed Prep their first loss of the year but also made a statement that they’re the team to beat in Class A. The Warriors rolled past Prep 52-20 in their final home game of the regular season, improving to 7-1 while Prep dropped to 7-1. The atmosphere at Phelps Field that night was electric, with fans filling the stands and energy building from the first whistle to the last.
Junior running back Tay Tay Jenkins was nearly unstoppable, running for 196 yards on just 15 carries and scoring four touchdowns. Every time he touched the ball, it felt like something big was going to happen. Jenkins broke tackles, found holes, and turned small gains into highlight runs. Junior quarterback Braylen Warren also had himself a solid night, completing eight passes for 108 yards and a touchdown through the air, while adding another 30 yards and a rushing touchdown on the ground. He controlled the offense well, balancing the passing and running game to keep Prep’s defense guessing.
On the defensive side, senior Bryson Williams led the charge with eight tackles, including two for loss. The defense set the tone early, flying to the ball and keeping Prep from ever really finding their rhythm. It was another chapter in the Warriors’ continued dominance over their long-time rival. The victory not only gave Westside bragging rights but also a big confidence boost heading into their final regular season game at Papillion-LaVista.
That final matchup didn’t disappoint either. The Warriors wrapped up their season with another convincing win, this time 35-14. It wasn’t as flashy of a score as the Prep game, but it showed how balanced and tough this team really is. Quarterback Braylen Warren threw for 186 yards, completing 15 of 25 passes with two touchdowns, though he also threw two interceptions. Even with a couple of mistakes, he stayed poised and made plays when it mattered. Tay Tay Jenkins kept things steady on the ground, running 19 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns, giving the offense consistency and helping chew up the clock.
Senior wide receiver Mo Purify led the team in receiving, hauling in six catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. He was reliable all night, finding open spots and making tough grabs in traffic. Bryson Williams, who had been a leader on defense all season, also made his presence felt on offense with three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. It was a reminder of just how versatile and deep this Warriors team really is.
The defense once again showed up strong, and senior Eli Johnson delivered one of the biggest plays of the night: a 38-yard pick six that completely swung the momentum. His interception and return for a touchdown brought the crowd to its feet and gave Westside even more control. Johnson talked after the game about what the win meant, saying, “It means a lot. I mean sometimes we’re not always going to come out and put up 50 points, so it’s good that we can have a good defense that can have the offense’s back.”
When asked about locking up the number one seed and securing home field advantage, Johnson couldn’t hide his excitement. “Oh, it’s awesome,” he said. “There’s no better place to play than Phelps Field, and there’s no better fans and community than Westside.” That home-field energy has carried the Warriors all season long, and they’ll get to keep that advantage as they start the playoff run.
Senior receiver Mo Purify echoed those same feelings, emphasizing how special this win was for the team. “It means a lot, especially getting that first seed locked up for playoffs,” Purify said. “It’s definitely special to get home field advantage.” He also credited the defense for stepping up in big moments, adding, “Defense came out punching, we were able to make some big plays, and especially Eli with that pick six really secured the win for us.”
Now the Warriors head into the playoffs as the top seed in Class A, set to face #16 Bellevue West in the opening round. It’s a familiar position for Westside, but they know every game from here on out is a fresh challenge. The offense has shown it can explode for big numbers, and the defense has proven it can shut down some of the best teams in the state. With Jenkins running hard, Warren managing the offense, and leaders like Williams, Purify, and Johnson setting the tone, the Warriors look ready to make another deep postseason push.
Their regular season might be over, but for Westside, the real journey starts now. They’ve built momentum, they’ve earned respect, and most importantly, they’ve built a belief that this team has what it takes to go all the way. And if they keep playing like they have the last two weeks, it’s going to take a lot to stop them.
