Football: The Miracle era begins at Westfield

By CRAIG ADKINS

For The Reporter

Over the last 13 seasons, Westfield football had gotten used to Jake Gilbert as its head coach and success has built up big over that time span.

With the Shamrocks going 103-54 while winning eight sectional, five regional and three semi-state championships, Gilbert raised the bar and has made Westfield into a football power. Finishing as the Class 6A state runner-up twice (2021 and 2020) and winning the Class 5A state title in 2016 puts the Rocks program up there as one of the best in the state.

Josh Miracle will transition smoothly from where Jake Gilbert left off, being a part of Westfield’s staff throughout Gilbert’s tenure since 2011, when he graduated from Wabash. Gilbert is now the associate head coach at his alma mater, Wabash College, in Crawfordsville and be the head coach in-waiting after the 2024 season for the Little Giants.

The 2023 season had Westfield finishing 11-2 season a sectional title at Noblesville and regional over Hamilton Southeastern. The Shamrocks’ bid for another state finals appearance came to an end with a semi-state loss at Crown Point in double overtime, 38-31.

“As the season approaches, we continue to be thankful for the blueprint Coach Gilbert put in place the past 13 years at Westfield,” said first-year head coach Josh Miracle.

With Jackson Gilbert graduated and headed to Wabash himself, senior Carsen Melvin is set to take over at quarterback. Melvin was 8-for-16 for 78 yards and 2 interceptions in limited action last season.

“Carsen Melvin is in line to start at QB for us this fall. Melvin has put together a tremendous offseason and emerged as a key leader on offense,” Miracle naming his starting quarterback.

Senior running back Kendall Garnett returns for his third varsity season in the backfield. He rushed for 1,199 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior and has 2,034 yards and 24 TDs through two seasons.

Fellow senior Mikeah Webster took some carries in short-yardage situations, scoring five touchdowns.

“As we head into August, we will have a RB by-committee approach.,” Miracle said on the Shamrocks backfield depth.

Senior Gabe Aramboles is a four-year starter that has played 35 games in three years. He has caught at least 35 passes and gained no less than 500 yards receiving with 13 TDs, including 41 grabs for 583 yards and six scores in 10 games and heading into his senior season as one of the top wideouts around.

“Our WR corps has been extremely deep and well-rounded throughout the offseason,” Miracle stated of his talented wideouts.

The Rocks bring back seniors Beau Braun (387 yards, TD) and Parker Knott (324, TD), along with junior Broc Parker (192 yards, 2 TDs) that will be key contributors.

Defensively, senior Drew Law (70 tackles) leads the returnees with two INTs, one sack, a fumble recovery, and blocked punt. Junior Deacon King also had 70 stops, an INT and fumble recovery. Junior Alex Aramboles had a sophomore season of 66 tackles (50 assists), including 9.5 for a loss (four sacks). Senior Thomas Vandergriff comes back in the secondary with two INTs.

Replacing kicker/punter Brody Boehm is another two positions Westfield is replacing a three-year starter. Boehm averaged 35.0 yards per punt on 80 boots in 31 games. He was also extremely accurate with PATs, making 92-of-94 in his career. Boehm has taken his talents to the University of Missouri to kick for the Tigers in the Southeastern Conference.

Westfield opens Miracle’s first season on the road at Center Grove on Aug. 23. The home opener is in Week 2 (Aug. 30) against the Shamrocks’ neighbor to the south in the Carmel Greyhounds. Westfield begins Hoosier Crossroads Conference play on Sept. 6 at home with Zionsville and heads to Noblesville on Sept. 13.

Mid-season, the Shamrocks welcome in Hamilton Southeastern on Sept. 20 and they’ll hit the road on Sept. 27 at Brownsburg.

Westfield starts October by hosting Avon on the 4^th, then it goes back on the road on Oct. 11 at Fishers, followed by the regular season finale at home against Franklin Central on Oct. 18.

“Our staff and players look forward to continuing the ‘outwork, out love’ family atmosphere that has been at the heart of Westfield football for many years,” added Miracle.