The REPORTER
If you were on the field for Westfield during its Friday night game at Franklin Central, you probably caught a touchdown pass.
The Shamrocks (No. 6 AP/No. 7 IFCA) scored four TDs last night against the Flashes, with each of them being caught by a different player. That helped Westfield to a regular-season finale win over Franklin Central by the score of 28-19.
‘Rocks coach Jake Gilbert said his team “made explosive plays,” and credited offensive coordinator Blair Schlicher, saying he was “phenomenal. He just did a good job getting us in plays that worked in an explosive way.”
The Flashes scored first, giving them a 6-0 lead after one quarter, then got another touchdown to go up 12-0. The ‘Rocks did get on the board before halftime, with Broc Parker catching a pass from Jackson Gilbert to get Westfield within 12-7.
“We were down, but we weren’t panicked,” said Jake Gilbert. “We just needed to find some mojo.”
Jackson Gilbert was just getting started. Fifty-nine seconds into the third quarter, Gilbert sent a throw to Maximus Nosler, who took it 81 yards to score. That put the Shamrocks ahead for good at 14-12. Later in the period, Gilbert connected with Gabe Aramboles for a 46-yard touchdown pass, and Westfield had a 21-12 lead.
The Flashes scored to cut the Shamrocks’ lead to two, but Gilbert had one more touchdown pass to throw. That one went to Kendall Garnett, and he took the 60-yard pass into the end zone with four minutes to play. Brody Boehm had made the previous three extra-point kicks, and he made it a perfect night by nailing his fourth kick.
Gilbert had a sensational night, throwing at a 20-of-30 clip for 281 yards. Aramboles led with seven receptions. Garnett led the rushing, gaining 75 yards.
Anthony Feltrinelli and Andrew Lieske both made 11 tackles. Feltrinelli assisted on all 11 of his stops, while Lieske had five solo tackles and six assists. Cato June and Webster both had nine stops. Each player totaling two solos and seven assists. Sam Bola and Colton Vondersaar both made one sack. Jake Gilbert said his team’s defense cleared five takeaways in the game.
“Those guys all did a nice job for us,” said the coach. “I thought Andrew Lieske played well at safety. He also forced a fumble. Cato June got an interception in his first varsity start. Thomas Vandegriff got an interception. I thought our pressure on the quarterback was decent.”
Westfield finished HCC play 6-1 and the regular season 8-1. The ‘Rocks travel to Carmel on Oct. 27 for a semifinal game in Class 6A Sectional 4.
WESTFIELD 28, FRANKLIN CENTRAL 19
Score by Quarters
Westfield 0 7 14 7 – 28
Franklin Central 6 6 0 7 – 19
Team stats WF FC
First Downs 16 16
By Rush 6 8
By Pass 10 8
By Penalty 0 0
Rushes-Yards 34-118 35-143
Passing Yards 281 198
Comp-Att-Int-TD 20-30-2-4 17-30-3-2
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-2
Penalties-Yards 2-10 3-21
Punts-Average 3-22.7 4-33.5
Westfield Scoring
Second Quarter
3:29 – Broc Parker pass from Jackson Gilbert (Brody Boehm kick)
Third Quarter
11:01 – Maximus Nosler 81-yard pass from Gilbert (Boehm kick)
2:31 – Gabe Aramboles 46-yard pass from Gilbert (Boehm kick)
Fourth Quarter
4:03 – Kendall Garnett 60-yard pass from Gilbert (Boehm kick)
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Garnett 23-75, Aramboles 1-26, Gilbert 5-8, Nosler 1-5, Deacon King 1-2, Mikeah Webster 1-2.
Passing: Gilbert 20-30-281.
Receiving: Aramboles 7-83, Nosler 3-88, Parker 3-20, Beau Braun 3-14, Garnett 2-67, Parker Knott 2-9.