TOWN AND COUNTRY – Westminster senior Shep Nye was not aware he had achieved perfection.
The Wildcats’ starting quarterback attempted 10 passes Saturday and did not throw an incompletion.
“I didn’t? That’s awesome,” Nye said after the game.
Nye threw for 152 yards and two scores, and his perfect day symbolized the flawless performance in all phases for Westminster in a convincing 48-0 victory over St. Charles West in a Class 3 District 3 semifinal matchup Saturday at Westminster.
The Wildcats (6-5), which advanced to a district championship game for the first time since 2015, will face Orchard Farm (8-2) at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Orchard Farm High.
Nye began his impeccable performance on the first Westminster play by slinging a pass to senior Caden Collison along the right sideline. Collison approached two defenders, split between them, broke free of their grasps and darted to the end zone for an electric, 60-yard touchdown.
“I did not think that was going to the end zone when I first caught it, but I was able to shake a couple tackles and get down there. It felt good to start off the game with seven points on the board,” said Collison, who caught five passes for 107 yards.
St. Charles West (4-7) marched deep into Westminster territory late in the first quarter with passes from senior Jack Titone to junior Kyle Cotton, who dragged multiple defenders along with him on plays that covered 24 and 21 yards.
It gave the Warriors a first-and-goal situation from the four-yard line, but three running plays were stuffed and a quick screen on fourth down was knocked away by Westminster senior Joseph Anderson.
“That was a big turnaround. If we punch it in, I think we settle down a little bit,” St. Charles West coach Gary Strauss said.
Six plays later, Westminster senior Josh Avery found a crease and raced 63 yards for a touchdown to complete a 98-yard drive and open a 14-0 lead for the Wildcats.
“I saw the gap, the linebacker over-pursued, I cut it back and took it all the way,” said Avery, who carried the ball 18 times for 209 yards and scored twice.
Both teams played without important contributors on Saturday. St. Charles West leading tackler Morgan Regot (147 tackles) and Westminster leading scorer Chris Heard (11 TDs) each missed the contest.
The absence of Regot was apparent through the extra yards Westminster gained after contact. The absence of Heard forced Avery to assume an extra-heavy workload.
“I love to have him. We share reps and it makes it easier because I have to go out on defense also,” Avery said.
Sharing reps has also been a positive situation for Nye, a three-year starting quarterback for the Wildcats. This season, Nye alternates possessions with strong-armed freshman Will Powers and it has helped both players improve at the position.
“He is very, very talented and has completely proven that he’s ready. I’m happy about splitting time. It’s been working. I really enjoy it, and he is getting better for next year,” Nye said.
Leading 14-0, Nye entered the huddle for a two-minute drill.
He found sophomore Matthew Hays for nine yards and connected with Collison three times for 22 yards, including a crossing route that Collison advanced to the one-yard line. Avery finished the drive to give Westminster a three-touchdown lead at halftime.
Nye started the second half and led a five-play, 62-yard touchdown drive. It concluded with a perfectly-thrown 9-yard touchdown pass that junior tight end Peter Kats caught above two defenders in the back corner of the end zone.
“We have great receivers. I just have to get it to them,” Nye said.
Nye showed his versatility throughout the game, escaping for several impactful runs when receivers were covered as the Westminster offense churned up 432 total yards and 24 first downs.
“I haven’t really done it the last couple years, but I’ve tried to expand my game by using my legs,” said Nye, who rushed for 41 yards on seven carries.
The special teams unit blocked a punt, and the defense forced three turnovers, including a pair of interceptions by senior Devin Coulter as Westminster continued to excel in all facets.
When St. Charles West won the Class 3 District 3 title last season with an upset victory over Lutheran North, the Warriors churned up 262 yards rushing, and for large portions of the game, controlled the line of scrimmage.
Anchored by nose tackle Case-Edward Miller, the Westminster defense held St. Charles West to 61 yards on 26 rushing attempts Saturday and did not allow a carry to exceed six yards.
“Our center (Theodis Collins III) helped me get ready by clashing heads all week,” Miller said. “My mindset was, ‘Don’t get moved. Don’t get pushed back.’”
Westminster, which has won six of its last seven games, has not been pushed around since ending a 12-game losing streak on Sept. 23 with a win over Priory. Their 6-5 overall record is deceptive, with four losses coming against teams that will play for district titles next week.
“We had a gauntlet to get through the first four weeks,” Nye said. “Playing those teams, it really prepared us for what we’re facing now.”