The REPORTER
Westfield kept its perfect record intact on Friday, holding off a late comeback by host Noblesville to win the Midland Rail trophy game 38-18 at the Millers’ Beaver Stadium.
The Shamrocks led 10-0 after the first quarter. Mikeah Webster got Westfield on the board with a four-yard touchdown run. Owen Wright kicked the extra point, then later kicked a 35-yard field goal during the waning seconds of the period.
Noblesville’s Max Miller threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass, helping to keep the Millers in the game. (Richie Hall)
Noblesville cut into that advantage after Ty Holmes made a three-yard TD run late in the second quarter. As a result, the Millers trailed only 10-6 going into halftime.
But the Rocks re-asserted themselves in the third quarter with two touchdowns. Ryder Birk made a nine-yard run into the end zone, then Carsen Melvin sent a 17-yard touchdown throw to Gabe Aramboles. Westfield led 24-6 after three quarters.
The Millers got themselves back in contention with two fast touchdowns late in the fourth quarter. Holmes pushed the ball into the end zone from the two-yard line, then after Noblesville recovered an onside kick, quarterback Max Miller found Indy Wilhelm for an 18-yard touchdown reception.
Suddenly, the Millers were within 24-18. But the Shamrocks let them get no closer. Aramboles hauled in a 50-yard touchdown pass from Melvin just seconds later, and Westfield led 31-18. Noblesville tried to make one more drive, but Drew Law turned an interception into a 57-yard pick six. Oliver Church kicked both extra points in the fourth quarter.
“I think this team’s been a team that responds,” said Shamrocks coach Josh Miracle. “They try not to get too high, too low, somewhere in between, and it seems like some of our guys just know when they need to step up and make a play.”
Melvin was 11-of-16 through the air for 123 yards, with Aramboles catching four of those passes. Holmes led the Noblesville rushing with 60 yards.
“I’m so proud to be a Miller,” said Millers coach Dave Sharpe. “We played the best team in the state today and we know that we can go toe to toe with them. We’re going to take a lot of positives away from this as we prepare for Zionsville.”
Westfield is 2-0 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play and 4-0 overall. The Rocks host Hamilton Southeastern next Friday. Noblesville is 0-2 in the league and 2-2 overall and plays at Zionsville next Friday.
