It was a long, late bus ride home for the Westfield football team Friday night and Saturday morning.
But it also was a happy ride, as the Shamrocks came home as regional champions for the second consecutive year. Westfield played the Class 6A Regional 2 game at Fort Wayne Carroll on Friday, and hit the afterburners in the second half, pulling away from the Chargers for a 37-14 victory.
“It was a pretty dominant second half,” said ‘Rocks coach Jake Gilbert. Carroll had gotten within 16-8 midway through the third quarter, but Westfield ran off three consecutive touchdowns to keep control of the game.
The Shamrocks showed determination in their opening drive. A penalty pushed Westfield back to its own five-yard line where it was first-and-27. But Maximus Webster made a 13-yard pass to Jackson Wasserstrom, and Micah Hauser bulldozed another 13 yards to set up a third-and-1. Hauser then punched the ball another yard to get the ‘Rocks the first down.
Westfield would eventually be rewarded for that drive, as the Shamrocks made a long march to the Chargers’ two-yard line. Webster punched the ball in for the touchdown, and Caleb King made the extra-point kick.
King would get the only points of the second quarter, kicking a 36-yard field goal early in the period. The kick put Westfield ahead 10-0, and that would be the halftime score.
The Shamrocks extended the lead to 16-0 in the third quarter when Hauser ran in to the end zone from the four-yard line. But Carroll made things interesting when it connected on a 36-yard pass play touchdown, then made a two-point pass. Westfield’s advantage was now cut in half at 16-8.
But there was nothing to fear. The Shamrocks embarked on an 80-yard drive, beginning with a pass from Webster to Gabe Aramboles. The freshman turned a short throw in traffic into a 60-yard pass play, taking Westfield from its own 20 to the Chargers’ 20. The Shamrocks then kept their feet on the ground, and headed towards the end zone. Trevon Hatchett finished the drive by making a five-yard touchdown run.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Hatchett scored a second touchdown for the ‘Rocks, as he punched the ball in from the one-yard line. King kicked both extra points after each of Hatchett’s scores.
Westfield’s lead was now 30-8, but it wasn’t done yet. Carroll was trying to put a drive together, but it ended quickly when Tyler Dikos intercepted a pass and took it down to the Chargers’ 23. That was all Hauser needed, as he scored from there on the Shamrocks’ first play of the drive. King again made the extra point. Carroll did get one more touchdown late in the fourth, but Westfield had the game well in hand by then.
“We had some penalties in the first half that we need to clean up,” said Gilbert. “But we got three takeaways on defense, got our hands on the ball other times. We limited their quarterback in the run game, which was a goal. I was really pleased with the defense.”
Gilbert noted that the Chargers were averaging 40 points per game, so holding them to 14 was an accomplishment. Westfield’s offense did well, too.
“Micah Hauser ran really well,” said Gilbert. “I was pleased with our offensive line. Gabe Aramboles made a couple big plays.”
Hauser finished the game with 151 yards rushing on 25 carries, while Aramboles caught five passes for 112 yards. Webster went 11-of-20 through the air for 216 yards.
Mario Chalmers and Dillon Thieneman each had 10 tackles for Westfield, with Hauser and Evan Cannon both making six stops. Dikos made a fumble recovery in addition to his interception; Gilbert said Dikos was “probably player of the game on defense.”
The regional win was the sixth in the Shamrocks’ program history and the first time Westfield has won back-to-back regionals since 1992 and 1993.
The Shamrocks are now 10-1 for the season. They will host Merrillville next weekend for the Class 6A north semi-state, a rematch from last season. The Pirates beat Penn 39-7 on Friday to win the Regional 1 championship.
WESTFIELD 37, FORT WAYNE CARROLL 14
Score by Quarters
Westfield 7 3 13 14 – 37
Carroll 0 0 8 6 – 14
Team Stats WHS CHS
First Downs 24 20
By Rush 16 6
By Pass 6 13
By Penalty 2 1
Rushes-Yards 51-252 31-100
Yards Passing 216 265
Comp-Att-Int-TD 11-20-0-0 22-37-2-2
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 3-1
Penalties-Yards 9-83 7-67
Punts-Average 4-32.0 1-32.0
Westfield scoring
First Quarter
3:46 – Maximus Webster 2-yard run (Caleb King kick)
Second Quarter
10:49 – King 36-yard field goal
Third Quarter
7:39 – Micah Hauser 4-yard run (kick failed)
2:30 – Trevon Hatchett 5-yard run (King kick)
Fourth Quarter
6:44 – Hatchett 1-yard run (King kick)
5:04 – Hauser 23-yard run (King kick)
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Hauser 25-151, Webster 10-48, Hatchett 9-36, Brock Stewart 4-16 Ja’Veyon Averitte 2-1, team 1-0.
Passing: Webster 11-20-216.
Receiving: Gabe Aramboles 5-112, Nic Depasquale 3-50, Ian Bruch 2-46, Hauser 1-8.