Football: Westchester (7-2) is one of the City Section’s most improved teams

Westchester, 3-8 last season and without a winning season in football since 2011, is undergoing a turnaround under Coach Wyatt Henderson.

The Comets are 7-2 overall, 3-1 in the Western League and could easily be unbeaten if not for one-point losses to Carson and Venice.

“We’re two points and 18 seconds from being 9-0,” Henderson said. “The kids have worked hard.”

The player leading the way has been junior quarterback Jonathan Murphy, who has passed for 2,084 yards and 20 touchdowns with two interceptions. He passed for 302 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-32 win over Palisades on Friday.

“He’s really good,” Henderson said. “It’s hard to defend him. He does a lot of different things. It’s a pleasure to coach this kid. He’s like a sponge. He soaks everything up.”

Another rising player is 6-foot-2, 180-pound sophomore defensive end Mark Blocker. He had 13 tackles against Palisades.

“He’s going to be one of the best in the City,” Henderson said of Blocker.

Westchester is in City Section Division II, home to unbeaten Hawkins (8-0). The Comets have shown they’re not afraid of anyone.

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