The REPORTER
Westfield began Friday evening with a dominant first half against Franklin Central, then finished the evening as Hoosier Crossroads Conference champions.
The Class 6A No. 3 Shamrocks sailed past the Flashes 44-7 at Riverview Health Stadium to finish the HCC and regular seasons. Westfield completed conference play at 6-1 and will share the HCC crown with Brownsburg. The 6A No. 1 Bulldogs were stopped by Hamilton Southeastern 30-23 (see related story) for their only conference loss of the year.
Westfield coach Josh Miracle said he was proud of his team and the “consistency they’ve shown over the year,” especially in bouncing back from its loss to Brownsburg earlier in the season.
“Proud of their overall work and their commitment throughout the season,” said Miracle.
The Rocks scored their first touchdown with 7:03 left in the first quarter after Deacon King punched the ball into the end zone. Owen Wright made the extra-point kick, the first of five he would successfully make during the game.
Westfield poured in 31 points in the second quarter. Carsen Melvin made a touchdown run on the first play of the period, then King took off for a 49-yard TD run a few minutes later. Melvin then threw two touchdown passes, the first to Preston Pakala, and the second to Beau Braun, a 63-yard throw.
Wright finished the first half with a field goal, making the score 38-0. The second half was played with a running clock. Diego Herrera kicked two field goals in the second half, one each in the third and fourth quarters.
Stats were not available due to technical difficulties and will appear in a later edition.
The Shamrocks are 8-1 for the season. Westfield and the other Class 6A teams receive a bye next week for the first round of sectionals; the Rocks host Harrison on Nov. 1 in the semifinals of Sectional 3.