By RICHIE HALL
WESTFIELD – Football fans and coaches of a certain age may have felt like they had gone back in time if they were at Westfield’s Riverview Health Stadium on Friday.
The Shamrocks hosted a jamboree, inviting Carmel and Ben Davis, and the three teams all faced off against each other in a scrimmage situation that lasted about 40 minutes. Westfield took on the Giants first, then the Greyhounds scrimmaged against Ben Davis. The night finished with the ‘Rocks and Carmel facing each other.
“I like it,” said Gilbert. “Those of us who are old, the nostalgic part of the jamboree we liked. But this one being three teams is a little different. To be able to go against two top-flight programs like Ben Davis and Carmel, that’s pretty fortunate for you preparation, right?”
Right. But at the same time, Westfield not only held its own against those two teams, but had some success as well. While the ‘Rocks gave up a one-play touchdown to the Giants on the very first play, they were able to hold their own for the remainder of the series. Against Carmel, Westfield’s offense broke loose during the final few minutes of that series, with linebacker Mikeah Webster, tight end Maximus Nosler and Kendall Garnett all scoring touchdowns.
All three of those players are back from having good offensive seasons last year. Garnett, now a junior, was thrust into the main running back role as a sophomore and proved himself up to the challenge, with 835 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also made 13 catches, including one score.
Another key returner is Gabe Aramboles, who has been a varsity player since he was a freshman two years ago. As a sophomore, Aramboles led the receptions with 35, including three TDs. He had several good catches during the jamboree.
“The energy on the sideline was fantastic,” said Aramboles. “Sometimes it’s hard to get going at first, but once you get that sideline going, it gets everybody else going, which makes the game a whole lot better for us.”
Nosler is now a senior, and returns 27 catches from last year. He had the most touchdown receptions last season with four. Webster is a junior, and he brings back 14 receptions from his sophomore season.
The quarterback that saw the most time was senior Jackson Gilbert.
“I thought he had a pretty good night,” said Jake Gilbert. “We’ll see the film.”
Jackson Gilbert saw action in a couple games last season behind now-graduated Cole Ballard, so Jake Gilbert acknowledged that it was Jackson’s “first action on this level.”
“I thought he made some good plays,” said the coach.
Key returners on defense include junior Lennox Williams, who brings back the most tackles from last year with 90, including 7.5 tackles for a loss. The list of returners also includes seniors Andrew Lieske, Anthony Feltrinelli, William Goodvine III and Coleton Vondersaar, who made eight TFL’s as a sophomore.
Also back are junior wide receiver Parker Knott, who made a touchdown catch last season. Offensive linemen returning include senior left tackle Ryan Barker, junior center Isaac Cole and junior right tackle Avery Huggins.
Westfield opens its season at home next Friday, taking on New Palestine. The Dragons finished 12-1 last season and won their second consecutive sectional title. The Shamrocks are also on a sectional streak having won three straight championships.
“We’ve got New Pal next week, and they beat us handily last year,” said Gilbert. “We need to go against programs like this to be ready for who we’re going to see all last year.”