The Westfield football team has been surpassing expectations left and right over the past couple years, and the Shamrocks found some new ground to break on Friday night.
Westfield traveled to Franklin Central to finish up the regular and Hoosier Crossroads Conference seasons, and came home with a 42-28 victory. That win gave the Class 6A No. 2-ranked Shamrocks an undefeated HCC championship for the second year in a row.
Never before in the 21-year history of the HCC has any team had two perfect conference seasons back-to-back. It’s something that didn’t happen overnight: Westfield coach Jake Gilbert said the amount of work that’s gone into the success could be measured “over the course of years, really.”
“We are reaping what we’ve sown,” said Gilbert. “Super proud of our kids, of the effort that they’ve put in, the preparation of the coaches.”
The coach said that two seasons is “such a long time to not have a letdown,” noting how hard it is to win every single game.
“Just couldn’t be happier with our guys,” said Gilbert. “I have high expectations, but it’s just hard to stay this consistent.”
Westfield never trailed, leading 14-0 after the first quarter. Maximus Webster was responsible for both touchdowns, pushing the ball in from the one-yard line for the first score, then connecting with Ian Bruch for a 15-yard pass play touchdown late in the quarter.
Webster struck again in the second quarter, sending a 60-yard touchdown throw to Nic Depasquale. Micah Hauser finished up the first-half scoring with a 13-yard run, and the ‘Rocks led 28-7 at the break.
“I really felt like we were in control,” said Gilbert.
Westfield added two more scores in the third quarter. Hauser caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Webster; it was the fourth TD throw for the quarterback on the night. Hauser then completed the scoring with a last-second 14-yard run that was set up by a kickoff return from Gabe Aramboles. Caleb King made all six extra-point kicks.
Webster finished the game with 271 passing yards on a 14-of-22 clip. Seven different players made at least one reception; Hauser, Depasquale and Bruch all had three catches. Tyler Dikos made 10 tackles, followed by Popeye Williams with nine and Dillon Thieneman with eight.
This was the 15th consecutive conference win for the Shamrocks, who are now 8-1 overall for the season. Westfield is off next week, then travels to Noblesville on Oct. 29 for a Sectional 4 semi-final game.
WESTFIELD 42, FRANKLIN CENTRAL 28
Score by Quarters
Westfield 14 14 14 0 – 42
FCHS 0 7 14 14 – 28
Team Stats WHS FC
First Downs 19 20
By Rush 7 12
By Pass 10 7
By Penalty 2 1
Rushes-Yards 25-140 41-240
Yards Passing 271 113
Comp-Att-Int-TD 14-22-0-3 14-22-1-0
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 6-51 4-39
Punts-Average 2-26.5 4-34.3
Westfield Scoring
First Quarter
8:11 – Maximus Webster 1-yard run (Caleb King kick)
1:18 – Ian Bruch 15-yard pass from Webster (King kick)
Second Quarter
9:31 – Nic Depasquale 60-yard pass from Webster (King kick)
2:48 – Micah Hauser 13-yard run (King kick)
Third Quarter
9:39 – Hauser 34-yard pass from Webster (King kick)
0:01 – Hauser 14-yard run (King kick)
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Hauser 12-60, Webster 3-57, Trevon Hatchett 4-13, Gabe Aramboles 1-8, Ja’Veyon Averitte 2-2, Jackson Gilbert 1-0, team 2-0.
Passing: Webster 14-22-271.
Receiving: Hauser 3-88, Depasquale 3-78, Bruch 3-51, Aramboles 2-30, Jackson Wasserstrom 1-12, Steven Wilkos 1-9, Patrick Schramm 1-3.