Rocks rush Trojans with four touchdowns for comeback win

The REPORTER

Westfield showed the Indiana football world right away that no one should count the Shamrocks out.

Westfield fell behind in the first half at Center Grove, but scored four straight touchdowns in the second and third quarters to score a comeback victory, 34-21 over the Trojans.

“We had to settle in a little bit, make some adjustments,” said first-year Westfield head coach Josh Miracle. “Those guys found a way and kept fighting.” Miracle said Center Grove is a “very talented” team, calling them “well-coached. They did a lot of things correct.”

The Trojans skipped off to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. Westfield got on the board early in the second period when Mikeah Webster made a three-yard touchdown run. Center Grove scored again midway through the quarter, jumping ahead 21-6.

That’s when the comeback began. Gabe Aramboles threw a double pass to Parker Knott, who turned it into a 58-yard touchdown pass. Carsen Melvin then punched in two one-yard touchdown runs with under four minutes to play in the half, and the Rocks led 27-21 at halftime.

“They had a miscue there and we finished out the half,” said Miracle. “We had an interception to finish out the half. That was a big part of the game there, going into the half with the lead.”

Melvin and Aramboles teamed up for a 60-yard pass play touchdown with 7:07 left in the third quarter, giving Westfield a 34-21 advantage. Owen Wright kicked four extra points during the Shamrocks’ run.

Center Grove got one more touchdown in the fourth period, but Westfield drained the clock out to clinch the victory.

Miracle said Melvin was “excellent” as the Shamrocks’ quarterback.

“He has the greatest amount of poise to him,” said Miracle. “He ran the offense efficiently. Kudos to our guys up front, the o-line. They played outstanding.”

Stats were unavailable at press time and will run in a later edition. Westfield plays its home opener next Friday, hosting Carmel.