West Monroe downs Booker T. Washington of Tulsa at Battle on the Border

SHREVEPORT – West Monroe went over 400 yards of offense and made three key takeaways on defense to hold of a pesky Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) on Friday 30-21 in the 2017 Battle on the Border at Independence Stadium.

Senior quarterback Slade Bolden rushed for 142 yards and passed for another 104 yards with a touchdown pass to Jairus Henry. Running back Cameron Wright emerged as the new backfield star for the Rebels. Wright carried 16 times for 104 yards and two scores to lead the West Monroe rushing attack.

After taking a 27-14 lead in the second half, West Monroe had to stave off another BTW rally.

Quarterback Phillip Wheatley fired a 87-yarx touchdown pass with 9:40 to play to pull the Hornets within 27-21. West Monroe extended the lead on a Carson Jones field goal of 20-yards and Bolden conveyed a big fourth down run to seal the victory.

Despite a couple of big passes given up and over 200 yards by Wheatley through the air, some young defenders such as Ayiande Robinson (interception), Brooks Miller interaction and Javorius Harris (fumble recovery) made huge plays.

“Guys made plays,” West Monroe defensive coordinator Tony Osborne said. “It was a hard fought battle all night.”

West Monroe (2-0) returns home to host Wossman next Friday night.