By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
NOBLESVILLE – In the 63rd meeting all-time between the Hamilton County rivals of Westfield and Noblesville, the fans got their money’s worth at Beaver Stadium, to say the least.
It was a game that had many ups and downs, but it was the visiting Shamrocks who came out victorious in a game that came down to the final minute before eighth-ranked Westfield claimed a narrow 34-33 win.
“It’s not what we want, but in the end, I think good teams find ways to win close games,” said Westfield head coach Jake Gilbert on his team’s one-point win at Noblesville.
The Shamrock offense made it look easy on its first series, marching 80 yards in eight plays. The drive was capped off by Cole Ballard tossing a screen to sophomore running back Kendall Garnett on a wheel route to the right for 15 yards and an early 7-0 lead.
“We have a whole new cast of players and we had a rash of guys out this week, so we had a bunch of guys that had to step up,” stated Gilbert on the numerous players thrust into more playing time, including Garnett, senior running back Ryan Creagor and sophomore tight end Mikeah Webster.
Noblesville came right back with an 11 play, 70-yard drive that would tie it at 7-7 when Logan Shoffner reached paydirt from 16 yards out.
Noblesville’s Logan Shoffner rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown. (Kent Graham)
The ‘Rocks came right back next and took just six plays to go 90 yards and was aided by two big gains from Creagor. The senior had a big 22-yard carry and finished off the possession taking it 29 yards up the visiting sideline for a score that made it 14-7.
“Some of these guys are sophomores. Gabe Aramboles, Webster, Garnett, all sophomores,” said Gilbert on Westfield’s youth that mixes so well with the upperclassmen.
Two plays later, Blake Widget busted off a 70-yard run that knotted the game again, now at 14-14.
Westfield drove again and then Noblesville’s defense came up big with three negative plays in a row where Ballard lost a total of 25 yards. After the Millers had the Shamrocks pinned deep in punt formation, a penalty for roughing the punter turned into an automatic first down.
Garnett found the end zone again for a one-yard touchdown, jumping Westfield up 21-14.
“I’m proud of our staff. I feel like our staff had guys prepared to step up and execute and we did for sure on offense,” said Gilbert, praising his coaching staff for preparing all of his players to be ready and they were.
The Millers came back and took just five plays to tie it up again. Landon Hughes found a wide open Aidan Brewer over the middle and the sophomore wideout took it 45-yards for the score to make it 21-21.
The ‘Rocks stormed back down the field to regain the lead that they wouldn’t give back to the Millers.
Gabe Aramboles caught a 13-yard TD in the front left corner of the end zone, pushing it to 28-21.
Westfield’s Gabe Aramboles had five receptions, including one for a touchdown. (Kent Graham)
Next, the Millers put together another great drive, going 11 plays and 70 yards. Gage Gulley dove across the goal line from one-yard away, cutting it to 28-27. Noblesville got gutsy and went for two and the run attempt failed.
“I had to try to gobble up every point we could. It didn’t work out and that’s on me,” said Noblesville head coach Dave Sharpe on the call to go for two in the middle of the third quarter.
Westfield then lengthened the lead to seven when Cole Ballard found an opening and marched 18 yards for the score. Brody Boehm’s point after try hit the upright, leaving it at 34-27.
The senior signal caller has gotten more comfortable each game as the season progresses and his confidence is off the charts.
“We have a lot of bumps and bruises on the offense, but I don’t think it matters who’s out there, because everybody’s always going to give 100 percent. If everybody does the right thing, nobody’s going to be able to stop us,” said senior Westfield quarterback Cole Ballard.
“We’ve proven that and we’ve only stopped ourselves, so I think that’s a testament to the coaches for putting us in the right spot at the right time,” continued Ballard, giving credit to the coaching staff for preparing them for the situations they faced against Noblesville.
Another thing that didn’t help the Millers’ case was turning the ball over when freshman quarterback Landon Hughes fumbled at the 45, giving Westfield great field position.
Then, with a prime opportunity to close the door on Noblesville with a score, it was the Miller defense that came up big.
Westfield had a fourth down and goal at the one and Austin Hastings and Zach Lee stuffed the ‘Rocks for a turnover on downs.
Noblesville had to start at its own one-yard line in pursuit of tying or going for the win. They went 19 plays for 99 yards. Hughes sold the play action fake and threw again to Brewer, who was all alone in the end zone for a 13-yard strike with 51.8 seconds left in the game.
Once again, the Millers opted to go for two. Gulley ran hard up the middle, following his offensive line, but was stopped just short of the goal line, bringing the score to 34-33 Westfield.
“I felt like we had a better chance to get three yards and win the game,” stated Sharpe on his reasoning for going for two that would have given Noblesville the lead and possibly the win.
The onside kick was high and bounced a couple times and was recovered by the Shamrocks. They took a knee to run out the clock and held on for the 34-33 road win, keeping the Midland Rail trophy for the fourth year in a row. This is also Westfield’s six consecutive win in the series over Noblesville.
When it came down to it, Jake Gilbert couldn’t say enough about his senior quarterback. They way that Ballard orchestrates the offense will only get better, as it has from game-to-game in this young season.
“This guy here (Ballard), he’s a great player and that’s obvious,” continued Gilbert on Ballard.
“His stability and consistency in the eye of new players in some of the injuries we’ve had, everyone is calm because they believe in him. Cole executed our plays like a maestro. Even if he misses here or there, his poise steadies the ship,” stated Gilbert, praising his rising quarterback Ballard.
Noblesville drops its second in a row and moves to 2-2 overall, 0-2 in the Hoosiers Crossroads Conference. The Millers hit the road to face a tough Zionsville Eagles (3-1, 1-1 HCC), who beat Franklin Central on Friday, 14-7.
Westfield (3-1, 2-0 HCC) improves with its third win in a row. The Shamrocks host Hamilton Southeastern (4-0, 2-0 HCC) in a big HCC showdown. The Royals won the Mudsock game in overtime at home last night against Fishers, 28-27.
WESTFIELD 34, NOBLESVILLE 33
Score by Quarters
Westfield 14 14 6 0 – 34
Noblesville 14 7 6 6 – 33
Team Stats WFLD NOB
First Downs 24 25
By Rush 13 21
By Pass 11 3
By Penalty 0 1
Rushes-Yards 31-230 61-342
Yards Passing 188 81
Comp-Att-Int-TD 14-17-0-2 4-4-0-2
Fumbles-Lost 3-0 2-0
Penalties-Yards 6-43 3-25
Punts-Average 0-0.0 0-0.0
Scoring
First Quarter
W, 8:24 – Kendall Garnett 15-yard pass from Cole Ballard (Brody Boehm kick)
N, 2:56 – Logan Shoffner 16-yard run (Jack Letourneau kick)
W, 0:47 – Ryan Craeger 28-yard run (Boehm kick)
N, 0:03 – Blake Widget 70-yard run (Letourneau kick)
Second Quarter
W, 6:00 – Garnett 1-yard run (Boehm kick)
N, 4:04 – Aiden Brewer 45-yard pass from Landon Hughes (Letourneau kick)
W, 0:29 – Gabe Aramboles 14-yard pass from Ballard (Boehm kick)
Third Quarter
N, 6:42 – Gage Gulley 1-yard run (run failed)
W, 4:44 – Ballard 18-yard run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
N, 0:51 – Brewer 11-yard pass from Hughes (run failed)
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Ballard 8-100, Craeger 9-77, Garnett 11-47, Aramboles 1-16, team 2-minus 10.
Passing: Ballard 14-17-188.
Receiving: Aramboles 5-79, Mikaeh Webster 4-61, Max Nosler 3-21, Garnett 1-15, Zeke Richardson 1-12.
Noblesville individual stats
Rushing: Shoffner 22-141, Widget 15-114, Gulley 22-82, Hughes 2-5.
Passing: Hughes 4-4-81.
Receiving: Brewer 4-81.