Westwood  coach Spencer Stowers has seen quite a burgeoning garden sprout (his football team) as a third year at the helm continues to yield dividends in 2014.

The senior-driven Warriors rallied from behind twice in the final quarter on Friday night to post a 36-29 road victory over Campo Verde in a Division II contest at Campo Verde.

Westwood has now won seven in a row this season and nine overall counting the final two games of 2013 (wins over Betty Fairfax and Poston Butte). Campo Verde dropped its fifth game in a row and dropped to 3-5 for the year.

The Warriors, however, were tested as they haven't been before this season, but prevailed with a 78-yard march with 2:47 to play that used just less than three minutes to secure the victory.

After Campo Verde took its second lead of the second half thanks to quarterback Cole Pineda's second touchdown pass (he added a third on a run), Westwood took possession down 29-28 with 5:36 to play.

Senior quarterback Kane Tieman and junior workhorse back Ethan Johnson took turns moving the chains on the drive. Tieman escaped pressure and a possible sack on second down that netted eight yards. Johnson who carried 41 times for 181 yards and three touchdowns, picked up a first down with one of his many short, hard-hitting runs. Tieman then  flipped an 18-yard completion to Willie Brown for another first down.

Johnson set up the winning TD with a 25-yard scamper to the Campo Verde 3. Three plays later Tieman scored from 1 yard out for a 34-29 lead. Tieman added the two-point conversion on a run to account for the final score.(Campo Verde) and their coaching staff. The leadership on on the offensive side of our team is tremendous. They made plays when they needed to."

"This was a game we were challenged for four quarters," Stowers said. "I have a lot of respect for .Campo Verde) and their coaching staff....

"The leadership on the offensive side of the ball for us is tremendous. They made plays when they needed to. Tieman is the kind of player that refuses to lose."

Westwood had to stop Campo Verde one last time with 2:42 to play. Pineda completed two passes to move Campo Verde to its 43. Campo Verde's upset bid ended when Westwood's Donovan Trotter intercepted a desperation throw at the Westwood 20 with 1:34 to go.

"There is a belief in our lockerroom we can win," Stowers said. "As long as it stays true anything can happen."

Johnson, a junior, improved his rushing total for the year to just less than 1,400 yards. His three TDs give him 21 for the season. Tieman completed 12-of-24 passes for 247 yards and one TD. That TD came in the second quarter to his favorite receiver of the night Trotter. Trotter caught six passes for 149 yards. Westwood piled up 512 yards on offense (263 rushing and 249 passing). Campo Verde was limited to 280 for the night. Much of that came on passing plays the elusive Pineda made by escaping pressure and hitting receivers, who got behind defenders who lost containment.

Westwood overcame three turnovers, including a pair of second-half fumbles that stopped drives or gave field position to Campo Verde. Campo Verde's lone turnover was the interception in the final 90 seconds.

Campo Verde put up a game effort considering the Coyotes have lost five defensive starters and three offensive starters to injury to date.

"We've been playing a game of attrition, but it is what it is," Campo Verde coach Max Ragsdale said. "Cole did a nice job tonight making plays and getting it in the right spots. When we execute and concentrate on what each guy is supposed to do on a play we can move the ball. That hasn't always been the case this year."

Campo Verde, was without leading rusher Zac Wheeler, but got a boost on the ground from Pineda (60 yards on nine carries) and sophomore Trevor Crowe, who ran 24 yards for his first varsity TD with 20 seconds left in the third period. That gave the Coyotes their first lead of the game, 23-21.