ST. CHARLES — The Normandy High football team's plan worked to near perfection Wednesday night.
Relying on a power running game and a staunch defense, the unranked Vikings steamrolled Westminster Christian 50-7 in a Class 4 regional game played at St. Charles High.
With the first playoff victory in school history, Normandy (9-2) earns a rematch with University City (6-5) Monday in the sectionals. Westminster, ranked eighth among Post-Dispatch small schools, finished 8-3.
"We came in looking to run the ball — that's our game," Normandy coach Antoine Torrey said. "They took away the outside, so we just worked on pounding it up the middle. The offensive line was outstanding, we were able to get a lot of guys involved and everybody seemed to play well. This is big for our guys and for our program.''
The Vikings, who lost opening-round playoff games to Parkway Central in 2007 and to MICDS a year ago, established control on their second possession. Five players had carries as Normandy marched 75 yards on 12 plays, all runs, to go up 7-0 on a 6-yard run by senior Arthur Penney III with 2:47 to play in the first quarter.
"We wanted to make a statement, to set the tone," Torrey said.
Following a 28-yard punt return from Denzel Pernell, Penney capped a six-play drive with a 14-yard run TD run in the first minute of the second quarter, making it 14-0.
On their next drive, the Vikings overcame holding and motion calls to move 82 yards on 12 plays to make it 21-0. Penney again scored, this time from 8 yards out.
The Vikings' first pass — a 21-yarder from Terrell Whitfield to Jared Williams — and a thrilling 46-yard run by Pernell set up the final score of the half, a 2-yard touchdown run by Williams. Normandy led 27-0 at the half.
Whitfield's 23-yard TD run, followed by a two-point run from Pernell, stretched the lead to 35-0. Westminster's Zack Dorton threw an 11-yard scoring pass Alex Cacciarelli to make it 35-7 late in the third quarter, but Normandy finished strong.
University City beat Normandy 19-13 to capture the district title last Saturday. "Our guys can't wait to get another shot at U. City," Torrey said.
