The REPORTER
Westfield broke away from Zionsville after a tight first quarter and rolled to a 48-14 semifinal victory in Class 6A Sectional 3 Friday, Oct. 31 at Riverview Health Stadium.
The No. 5-ranked Shamrocks got on the board right away, as Cato June took the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The Eagles answered that, however, when Liam Salapka took Westfield’s kickoff 93 yards to score and tie the game 7-7.
The pattern repeated itself later in the first quarter. Aiden Grabowski punched the ball in from the three-yard line to get the Rocks up 14-7. Zionsville answered again: Brody Kledzik threw a 77-yard touchdown pass to Nic Hoggs, and the game was tied again.
But that was it for the Eagles’ scoring. Diego Herrera, who already kicked two extra points, made a 37-yard field goal during the last minute of the first period. It would turn out to be the game-winner, as Westfield led 17-14, and begin a run of 34 unanswered Shamrock points.
Elliott Clevenger (22 yards) and Baylor Conner (four yards) both made touchdown runs during the second period, putting Westfield ahead 31-14 at halftime. Grabowski ran the ball in from three yards in the third quarter.
Herrera kicked his second field goal late in the fourth quarter, this one from 39 yards. He also made the extra points after each second-half touchdown, giving him a 5-for-5 mark in the game.
Cooper Melvin scored on a 12-yard run with just under three minutes left. Nick Beam kicked that extra point.
Conner led the rushing with 126 yards. Westfield had a super-efficient passing night, going 16 for 18 on 158 yards. Melvin completed 13 of 15 attempts, while Grabowski was 3-for-3. Freshman Caiden Snow tied with Conner for the most receptions, both had four catches.
Reid Dikos had the most tackles with eight and also caught one interception. Logan Loring also had an interception while Alex Aramboles made one tackle for a loss.
Westfield is 8-2 and plays at No. 2 Carmel this Friday for the Sectional 3 championship.
