Expectations are always high for Westfield football, and this year is no exception.
Shamrocks coach Jake Gilbert said he is “very excited to coach this team,” and who can blame him? Westfield has several returning players, including all of its stat leaders on offense. The Shamrocks got a taste of the excitement last Friday when it hosted Ben Davis for a scrimmage at Riverview Health Stadium. Westfield will also host its season opener, taking on Harrison this Friday.
“We have a great team culture this year and our guys practice very hard,” said Gilbert. “I expect a great season. We will compete hard.”
The offense begins with senior Cam Simons, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback. Simons had a great junior season, throwing for 1,504 yards and seven touchdowns. He also established himself on the ground, rushing for 382 yards and six TDs.
Simons was the second leading rusher for the ‘Rocks. The leader is also back, senior Eli Patchett. As a junior, Patchett ran for 629 yards and seven scores. Another returning senior is Dane Wheeler, who was Westfield’s top receiver last year with 35 catches. Patchett was second in receptions with 27. Senior Levi Kaster is back as a tight end. All three players had one catch for a touchdown last season.
The Shamrocks will also have an experienced offensive line. Three seniors will be back on the line: Aidan Parker (6-2, 285), Jacob Netral (5-9, 235) and Ross Krieg (6-2, 255).
Westfield’s defense has three key players returning. Senior lineman Mark McLaurin brings back the most tackles for the ‘Rocks with 23 total. Sophomore defensive back Micah Hauser had 19 total tackles as a freshman, and was solid on offense too, with 243 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Senior Owen Ogle will be back on the defensive line as well.
After hosting Harrison, Westfield plays at Decatur Central for Week 2, then begins Hoosier Crossroads Conference play at Zionsville in Week 3. This will be the first time the Eagles are in Class 6A – albeit temporarily, since a post-season shift necessitated by the combining of two 5A Elkhart high schools into one 6A school will push Zionsville back down to 5A next year.
But the focus is on this year, and the Shamrocks will be playing in Sectional 4, with Carmel, Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern. Gilbert said that the re-alignment was “about what I expected to happen.”
“The road to the 6A State Championship goes through Carmel until someone can beat them,” said Gilbert.
