By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
The best part about Hamilton County football is that there’s always a rivalry game for someone to enjoy on a Friday night.
This week, another in-county contest takes place between Westfield and Hamilton Southeastern. The Royals host this Hoosier Crossroads Conference game at Reynolds Royals Stadium on Friday in what is also Southeastern’s Homecoming game.
The Shamrocks, ranked No. 8 in the IFCA Class 6A coaches poll, will come into the 7 p.m. kickoff still on their long win streak. Westfield has won 12 games in a row dating back to Sept. 30 and including last year’s 5A state championship. The ‘Rocks are 4-0 to start this season, including three wins by a touchdown or less.
“I’m proud of our team for pulling out these close games,” said Westfield coach Jake Gilbert. “Good teams win the close ones. That’s life in the HCC. Last year, three of our six conference games were decided by one point. We are so young, I do hope that the experience of winning these type of games helps us down the road and in tournament play.”
Last year’s game between the Shamrocks and HSE was one of those close ones, with the Royals pulling it out 21-20. Westfield held off Noblesville 30-26 last week, helped by two touchdowns from Nate Froelich. The senior star has now found the end zone four times this season, and has rushed for 484 yards in total.
Quarterback Cameron Nance has also come into his own. He has passed for 510 yards and five touchdowns this season, but also has run for three touchdowns.
“Westfield does a nice job on offense mix in run and pass and now have a threat of a QB running option,” said Southeastern coach Scott May. “Our defense has done a good job versus the run this year but have given up too much on long balls on pass. We must get better on pass defense.”
The Royals almost made a comeback in last week’s Mudsock game, roaring back with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter before falling to Fishers 20-14.
“I really like HSE’s defense,” said Gilbert. “They have a few studs over there for sure in May, Norris, their corner, etc. They take a lot away from you offensively. On offense, it looks like they found their QB and Sweeney is now back at running back. I expect them to be much improved on offense.”
HOMECOMING FOR NOBLESVILLE
Westfield’s win sent Noblesville to an 0-4 record. The Millers want to win, and what better time to get that first victory than at their Homecoming game?
Noblesville hosts Zionsville at Hare Chevrolet Field Friday night. Due to the Homecoming festivities, the game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. The Millers have had successful Homecoming games over the years: Last year they beat Hamilton Heights 38-7, while two years ago they defeated the Eagles 23-21 in a dramatic game in front of a packed house.
“The festivities that come along with Homecoming are a reminder of the community support that we have,” said Noblesville coach Jason Simmons. “Our level of emotion has varied throughout the season. We need to continue to grow and embrace the opportunities we have to represent our community and play this great game.”
Last year, the Millers played at Zionsville and won 45-24. The Eagles are 2-2, with wins over Pike and Brebeuf Jesuit, and losses to Lebanon and Westfield. Simmons called Zionsville, which is receiving votes in the 5A poll, “a very talented football team” that has gotten better every week.
“They have a lot of weapons on offense, and their QB does an outstanding job of putting their playmakers in positions to make those plays,” said Simmons. “They will really stress us with the size of their offensive line, speed on the perimeter, and the size of their tight end down the seam. They don’t have a lot of weaknesses on offense. They are very multiple on defense which also causes concerns. They are aggressive on the front end. They have gotten better every week on the back end. Their special teams force opponents to be disciplined and sound. They have explosive playmakers on special teams and they use their scheme to try and gain advantages.”
Quarterback Grant Gremel has continued to improve each week. Against the Shamrocks, Gremel broke through for two rushing touchdowns and remains fourth on the county passing list at 474 yards. Luke Blevins also had a rushing score, and is among the top receivers in the county with eight catches this season.
‘HOUNDS HOST WILDCATS
Carmel will try to get above the .500 mark this Friday by taking on Lawrence North. This Metropolitan Conference game starts at 7 p.m. at Carmel Stadium in what will be the Greyhounds’ Homecoming game.
The Wildcats are an improved team this season. They started off 2-0 with victories over Noblesville and Brownsburg, then lost close games to Lawrence Central and much-improved North Central.
“Lawrence North is a very physical and well-coached football team,” said Greyhounds coach John Hebert. “In all four of their games they have brought the fight to their opponents on both sides of the ball. We will have to play with great spirit and soundness of assignment to slow down their offense. Their defense is very good as well. We’ll need to be very focused in order to execute effectively.”
Carmel, ranked No. 9 in the 6A poll, is 2-2 and 1-1 in the MIC, coming off a close victory at Pike 21-18 last week. Jake McDonald threw two touchdowns, including one to Camari Hunt, who also scored a rushing TD. McDonald has thrown for 515 yards and four touchdowns this season.
‘HAWKS SEEK CONTROL OF HHC
Sheridan is presently in the driver’s seat of the Hoosier Heartland Conference standings, and are looking to put more distance ahead of the pack this Friday when Clinton Prairie comes to Bud Wright Stadium.
The Blackhawks are tied for No. 6 in the Class 1A coaches poll. They are coming off a huge win at Carroll last week, where they upset the Comets 28-27. Carroll was ranked No. 2 in the 1A Associated Press poll last week.
Wright said his team was still flying high after beating the Comets, and said the ‘Hawks were having “some pretty good practices” this week.
“I just hope it carries over to the game,” said Wright. He noted that his team needs to come down to earth “and take care of business this week.”
Sheridan is 3-1, and so is Clinton Prairie. The Gophers are averaging 44.5 points per game, with wins over Frontier (60-45), Clinton Central (34-20) and Tri-Central (48-34). Even in its lone loss to Arlington, Prairie still scored 36 points.
“They got a good-sized team,” said Wright. “They got a big running back. He’s a four-year starter both offensively and defensively.”
Sheridan’s Joe Callahan had a huge game last week against Carroll, running in four touchdowns. Callahan is now at 623 yards rushing for the season, and his six rushing TDs leads the county. Gunnar Williams kicked four extra points to put himself at 40 total points for the season.
TIGERS ON THE ROAD
Fishers is also flying high after last week’s Mudsock win. The Tigers travel to Brownsburg this week to continue HCC play.
Fishers is 2-2, dropping its first games to North Central and Pike before beating Noblesville and Southeastern. The Bulldogs are also 2-2, with wins over Bloomington South and Franklin Community, but losses to Lawrence North and Avon; Brownsburg dropped a 62-27 decision to the Orioles last week.
“They are a team with very good speed and athleticism at the skill positions,” said Tigers coach Rick Wimmer of the Bulldogs. “Their offensive line has good size and mobility. I am very impressed with their defensive front. They are a very good team.”
Fishers has been successful with its two-quarterback set up this season. Matt Wolff was 5-for-5 last week against HSE, both rushing for and passing for a touchdown. Jon Vore, meanwhile, continues to lead the county passing ranks, with 517 yards and five TDs this season.
HUSKIES HEAD TO NORTHWESTERN
Hamilton Heights is searching for its first win of the season. The 0-4 Huskies will travel to Northwestern Friday for a 7 p.m. Hoosier Conference game.
The Tigers are 3-1. They won their first three games, over Clinton Central, Twin Lakes and Benton Central, before dropping their conference opener to Lewis Cass 30-15 last week.
The Huskies have fallen to Mount Vernon, Kokomo, Cass and Tipton. Still, there is talent on the Heights roster. Blake Webel has established himself as a solid runner, with 278 season yards and three touchdowns.
“We have seen some growth in our team on a weekly basis,” said Heights assistant coach Ross Eckart on the Hamilton County Football Coaches Show on Hamilton County Television. “We’re getting closer to where we want to be.”
GOLDEN EAGLES AT BROAD RIPPLE
Guerin Catholic is unbeaten in four games this year, and will try to make it five when it travels to Broad Ripple Friday for a 7 p.m. game.
The Rockets are 0-4, having lost to Heritage Christian, Crispus Attucks, Noblesville Home School and Eastern Hancock. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, have beaten Martinsville, Lafayette Central Catholic, Heritage Christian and Indianapolis Howe.
Guerin has the county’s leading point scorer and rusher, who are one and the same. Thomas Kaser is up to 41 points, with four touchdowns, two field goals and 11 extra points. Kaser has earned all four of his TDs on the ground, where he has compiled 650 yards.
Despite the success, GC coach Tom Dilley said on the HCTV Coaches Show that there is still room for his team to grow.
“Our kids played hard and we still made a lot of mistakes,” said Dilley. “But it’s every week. We’re just trying to get better.”
Westfield’s Cameron Nance (left) has emerged as a dual scoring threat for the Shamrocks this season. Nance has passed for five touchdowns and rushed for three more. Westfield plays at Hamilton Southeastern on Friday. (Richie Hall/File photo)