The REPORTER
The Westfield football team might be the most battle-tested team in Indiana right now.
The Shamrocks are also an undefeated football team. Westfield ran its record to 4-0 by winning a tough game over Noblesville 28-21 Friday at Riverview Health Stadium. This is the third victory for the ‘Rocks that has been decided by a touchdown or less.
“We know how to win close games,” said Westfield coach Jake Gilbert.
Mikeah Webster scored a late first-quarter touchdown with a three-yard run to get Westfield on the board. Noblesville answered in the second period when Jacob Baker threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Brewer.
Noblesville’s Jacob Baker helped get the Millers on the board by throwing a second-quarter touchdown. (Kent Graham)
But the ‘Rocks jumped ahead 21-7 by halftime. Gilbert took an 11-yard run into the end zone, then tossed a 22-yard pass to Gabe Aramboles with 10 seconds left in the half.
“We had a pretty good first half,” said Jake Gilbert. “Our punter, Brody Boehm, was phenomenal. He helped us so much with field positions.
The Millers came back, scoring less than four minutes into the third quarter. Gage Gulley punched the ball in from the one-yard line.
“I’m very proud of our team,” said Noblesville coach Dave Sharpe. “We had a real funk the last couple minutes of the first half with them being able to capitalize on a turnover and score right before halftime on a big play. It was such a relief to feel the vibe at halftime being. ‘We got this. We’ll get this back.’”
The Millers’ Logan Shoffner tied the game in the fourth quarter with a 67-yard run to the end zone. Jack Letourneau made the extra-point kick, his third of the night. But Jackson Gilbert and Webster teamed up for a five-yard pass play touchdown with 2:22 left, and that would be the game-winner.
Boehm was 4-for-4 in extra points.
“We got two fumble recoveries, so that was ultimately the difference,” said Jake Gilbert.
Jackson Gilbert went 17-of-26 for 183 yards, while Kendall Garnett led the rushing with 65 yards. Aramboles totaled six catches, and Maximus Nosler had five. Shoffner led the Noblesville rushing with 113 yards.
“I am just absolutely so proud of our team for fighting so hard in the second half and erasing the 14-point lead right away and having a great chance to win in the fourth quarter,” said Sharpe. “Unfortunately, they did not, but there are so many positives that we see going forward and we’re all very excited to keep playing football as they season progresses. But hats off to Westfield. They did everything they needed to do in the final minutes of the first half and the final minutes of the second half.”
Westfield is 4-0 and plays next Friday at Hamilton Southeastern, while the Millers are 2-2 and host Zionsville next Friday.
WESTFIELD 28, NOBLESVILLE 21
Score by Quarters
Noblesville 0 7 7 7 – 21
Westfield 7 14 0 7 – 28
Team stats NOB WFLD
First Downs 14 16
By Rush 11 6
By Pass 2 9
By Penalty 1 1
Rushes-Yards 48-198 30-88
Passing Yards 67 183
Comp-Att-Int-TD 6-13-0-1 17-26-1-2
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 1-1
Penalties-Yards 2-25 9-110
Punts-Average 4-27.0 3-56.0
Scoring
First Quarter
W, 2:53 – Mikeah Webster 3-yard run (Brody Boehm kick)
Second Quarter
N, 7:40 – Aiden Brewer 29-yard reception from Jacob Baker (Jack Letourneau kick)
W, 4:05 – Jackson Gilbert 11-yard run (Boehm kick)
W, 0:10 – Gabe Aramboles 22-yard reception from Gilbert (Boehm kick)
Third Quarter
N, 8:21 – Gage Gulley 1-yard run (Letourneau kick)
Fourth Quarter
N, 7:17 – Logan Shoffner 67-yard run (Letourneau kick)
W, 2:22 – Webster 5-yard reception from Gilbert (Boehm kick)
Noblesville individual stats
Rushing: Shoffner 14-113, Gabe Bellan 13-37, Gulley 11-36, Baker 10-12.
Passing: Baker 6-13-67.
Receiving: Shoffner 3-27, Brewer 2-38, Gulley 1-2.
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Kendall Garnett 17-65, Gilbert 5-17, Maximus Nosler 1-8, Webster 3-6, Aramboles 1-4, Parker Knott 1-3, team 2-minus 15.
Passing: Gilbert 17-26-183.
Receiving: Aramboles 6-71, Nosler 5-66, Beau Braun 2-17, Broc Parker 1-11, Garnett 1-7, Zeke Richardson 1-6, Webster 1-5.