By CRAIG ADKINS
WESTFIELD – The eighth-ranked Westfield Shamrocks proved their ranking and made it known right away that they were undefeated for a reason. They put together a steady ground game and consistent air attack that made it tough for Noblesville to make a comeback, taking down the Millers on Friday, 34-14.
The Shamrock defense forced a punt from the Millers right away and had the itch on offense to make something happen quick.
Facing pressure up the middle, Camden Simons was able to find junior wideout Mason Piening for a 41-yard touchdown strike. The two-point conversion run failed for an early 6-0 Westfield lead.
Another three and out for the Millers gave the ball back to Westfield once again.
The ‘Rocks had a third down and five at the Noblesville 28. Simons hooked up with speedy sophomore Micah Hauser on a screen pass and he raced 28-yards untouched into the end zone for Simons’ second TD of the night that made it 13-0.
“We obviously like to run it, but that’s not because our quarterback can’t pass. We have plenty of weapons on the perimeter. We are just a little more of a run first team. But man, what can you say about Camden Simons?” said Westfield head coach Jake Gilbert on his senior signal caller’s great night at QB.
“If he’s not one of the best quarterbacks in the state, he completes an extremely high amount of passes. I think that was his first interception of the season, so one pick in four games and it was off of a tipped pass, several touchdowns. You know, he’s just terrific,” Gilbert continued on his standout quarterback.
Westfield was able to again drive on the Millers. This time, they got into field goal range for junior placekicker Sean Sullivan. The attempt was botched as holder was unable to get the snap down and was tackled.
Two plays later, Hauser intercepted Jayden Barrett’s pass at the Noblesville 28, getting the Shamrocks in prime position for a short series.
With the ball at the one, Simons converted connected on his third passing touchdown of the first half. Levi Kaster snagged the one-yard score that extended the lead to 20-0.
The Millers had a prime chance to get on the scoreboard late in the second quarter. Barrett sailed a pass over the middle and into the hands of senior receiver Carson Sanders for a 32-yard gain down to the two.
On second and goal at the two, Barrett dropped back to pass and tossed a pick, right into the hands of Micah Hauser for his second takeaway of the first half, returning the ball all the way up to the 47. Westfield took a knee to go to halftime up 20-0.
“We knew when we were going to play Jayden at quarterback that we would have some mistakes,” said Noblesville head coach Justin Roden on senior quarterback Jayden Barrett’s first start under center.
“Jayden has been a wingback and a slot receiver for three years and he asked to play quarterback and so, the reps we do in the summer and the 7-on-7’s and all the things you teach your quarterback, he’s had to learn those in a few days. Some of the bad decisions are just kind of a result of inexperience,” Roden continued on Barrett’s on-the-fly learning experience at quarterback.
Westfield would make quick work to start the third quarter, marching 80 yards in just eight plays, capping the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run from senior tailback Eli Patchett to make the score 27-0.
The Millers were back to punting again, despite a much better offensive output this week.
Another good Shamrock drive down to the Miller 14 lined them up for another Sullivan field goal attempt from 31-yards away.
Senior Kody Leach came unimpeded through the line and blocked Sullivan’s kick, send the ball 20 yards down field, where the ball was recovered by Carson Sanders and ran back 60 yards for a touchdown. This cut the score to 27-7.
Westfield’s next drive ended fast and nothing how they intended. On their own six, Simons threw a pass that was tipped and intercepted by Noblesville’s Lucas Williams at the Shamrock seven.
On second and goal at the five, Barrett fooled Westfield’s defense, faking the handoff to Drew Knieper and throwing a quick screen to junior Zach Blevins for a five-yard touchdown pass. This gave hope for the Millers, trimming the deficit to 27-14.
Time was getting away from Noblesville’s defense as Westfield drove down the field on the ensuing drive, milking as much clock as they could.
The ‘Rocks had a third and goal at the 10 and that’s what Simons put the cherry on top of this conference win with a 10-yard touchdown toss to senior receiver Dane Wheeler that would make for the final score of 34-14.
Wheeler helped put the final nail in the coffin, intercepting Barrett, allowing Westfield’s offense to run the rest of the 1:53 left off the clock to retain the Midland Rail Trophy.
“This is the second week in a row in the second half we outplay people and we just caught ourselves with too many mistakes in the first half,” stated Roden on the Millers’ great second half that kept them in the ball game.
Overall, Westfield had a great night on both sides of the ball. Its defense was able to hold Noblesville’s offense to just one score and that occurred late in the fourth quarter.
“Defensively, we didn’t give up any points, except for the seven off of the turnover where they started at the seven-yard line,” stated Gilbert on his Shamrock’s defense playing a solid game.
“It was a pretty complete win, to be honest with you, against a good opponent in our conference, a well-coached team,” Gilbert continued on how big of a win this was over rival Noblesville.
Noblesville dropped to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in HCC play. The Millers return home next Friday to host Zionsville for Homecoming. The Eagles (2-2) lost at HCC foe Franklin Central on Friday, 17-14.
The Millers were led by quarterback Jayden Barrett with 102 yards on 18 carries. He did have a rough night passing the ball, going 6-of-18 for 58 yards and three interceptions.
Westfield continued to stay undefeated at 4-0, 2-0 in HCC action. The Shamrocks hit the road in conference play to face Hamilton Southeastern (1-3, 0-2). The Royals fell at Fishers in the Mudsock game, 27-6.
The Shamrocks were led on the ground by Eli Patchett’s 23 rushes for 105 yards and a TD. Camden Simons threw 21-for-26, amassing 274 yards for four touchdowns and his first pick of the season, putting his total at 10 TD passes and one interception.
WESTFIELD 34, NOBLESVILLE 14
Score by Quarters
Noblesville 0 0 7 7 – 14
Westfield 13 7 7 7 – 34
Team Stats NHS WHS
First Downs 9 18
By Rush 7 9
By Pass 1 9
By Penalty 1 0
Rushes-Yards 28-142 35-171
Yards Passing 58 274
Comp-Att-Int-TD 6-18-3-1 20-23-1-4
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 3-39 3-26
Punts-Average 5-43.0 1-40.0
Scoring
First Quarter
WHS – Mason Piening 41-yard pass from Camden Simons (run failed)
WHS – Micah Hauser 28-yard pass from Simons (Sean Sullivan kick)
Second Quarter
WHS – Levi Kaster 1-yard pass from Simons (Sullivan kick)
Third Quarter
WHS – Eli Patchett 2-yard run (Sullivan kick)
NHS – Carson Sanders 60-yard blocked kick return (Greyson Addison kick)
Fourth Quarter
NHS – Zach Blevins 5-yard pass from Jayden Barrett (Addison kick)
WHS – Dane Wheeler 10-yard pass from Simons (Sullivan kick)
Noblesville individual stats
Rushing: Barrett 18-102, Drew Knieper 9-38, Elijah Butler 1-2.
Passing: Barrett 6-18-58.
Receiving: Owen Jones 2-8, Sanders 1-32, Holden Montarsi 1-7, Tyler Roberts 1-6, Blevins 1-5.
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Patchett 23-105, Hauser 3-30, Jack Pfeiffer 6-24, Simons 3-12.
Passing: Simons 20-23-274.
Receiving: Piening 6-86, Wheeler 4-47, Reid Schepers 3-34, Patchett 2-22, Carson Voorhis 2-29 Levi Kaster 2-16, Riddle 1-12.
Westfield’s Eli Patchett (33) makes a run as Noblesville’s Carson Sanders (9) looks to make the defensive play during the Shamrocks-Millers football game Friday at Westfield’s Riverview Health Stadium. (Kent Graham)