Westfield football preparing for Class 6A state championship game

By RICHIE HALL
When high school football fans talk about teams that consistently do well in the state tournament, it’s easy to name schools that are usually always make it to the state finals.
These teams range from the Class 6A powerhouses like Carmel and Center Grove to the middle enrollment schools working their way up the class ladder – New Palestine has been a 4A and 5A state champion. There are also the small schools like Pioneer, which has been in four 1A championship games since 2014.
It’s an elite list, and it’s time to add one more program to it: Westfield. The Shamrocks were a 5A state finalist in 2013, then a 5A state champion in 2016. After winning state, Westfield made the jump to the biggest class, and now will play for a 6A state title, taking on Center Grove Friday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
By making it to back to the big game, the Shamrocks are now only one of 12 schools to qualify for a state championship game three times since 2013. Jake Gilbert, in his 10th season as coach of the Shamrocks, will be leading them down there again, as he did with the previous two appearances.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” said Gilbert. “Our first year we went 5-6 and people literally wanted to throw a parade in my honor. If that happens next year parents will want me fired. Expectations have raised to say the least.”
That first year for Gilbert was 2011, so it was in third season that the ‘Rocks made it to state. They lost to Cathedral 42-18, but it also marked the beginning of a great run for Westfield, as it won four consecutive sectional championships, culminating in a state championship in 2016. The Shamrocks beat Columbus East 16-13 to claim their first ever football state title.
The move to 6A in 2017 brought with it a few inevitable growing pains, but Westfield persevered and continued to build its program. Not only is the varsity having enormous success, but the Shamrocks’ junior varsity and freshman teams both finished undefeated this season.
“Going undefeated on the Freshmen and JV level, winning our conference, and making it to the State Championship is evidence of years of daily work and character,” said Gilbert. “Our program is clearly working and I am grateful for every youth, middle school, and high school player and coach who has helped us build this. We are trying to build an empire. I believe we are on our way. I hope I can pause for a second and enjoy that someday.”
There hasn’t been much time for Westfield to pause this week. The Shamrocks are busy preparing for Center Grove, the undisputed No. 1 team in 6A.
The Trojans are 13-0 for the season and have only been truly challenged once during their unbeaten campaign. That was in Week 9, the final week of the regular season, when Cathedral led Center Grove late before the Trojans came back to win 17-13. The Irish are playing Zionsville on Saturday for the 5A state title.
Center Grove’s other games have not been close. The Trojans beat Decatur Central 56-14 to open their season, then cruised their way through the Metropolitan Conference. Center Grove’s MIC game scores are as follows: Warren Central 20-0, Carmel 42-0, Ben Davis 35-12, North Central 47-0, Lawrence Central 66-0, Pike 57-14 and Lawrence North 28-13.
The Trojans have had little resistance navigating the post-season as well. Center Grove won Sectional 8 by beating Columbus North 42-7 in the semi-finals and Columbus East 55-7 in the title game. That set up MIC re-matches in the next two rounds, but CG got through those with no trouble: Warren Central 38-0 in the Regional 4 championship and Ben Davis 48-13 in the south semi-state.
“CG has a great program and culture,” said Gilbert. “They have earned the right to be where they are over the course of years by developing their players and teams from the bottom up. This particular team has an amazing defensive line and a great pair of running backs among other things.”
The Trojans’ running backs are Carson Steele, who has gained 1,539 yards and scored 29 touchdowns this season, and Daniel Weems, who has rushed for 827 yards and eight TDs. Meanwhile, three Center Grove defenders have double-digit tackles for loss this season: Caden Curry with 21.5, James Schott with 11 and Trey Clark with 10. Curry leads the overall tackles list with 48.5 and has the most sacks with eight.
Tayven Jackson is the Trojans’ quarterback, and he has been very efficient, completing 105 of 167 pass attempts for 1,635 yards and 15 scores. Connor Delp is his top receiver with 38 catches, five for touchdowns.
Westfield will enter Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday with a 12-1 record. The Shamrocks lost their season opener to Cathedral 56-20, but have won every game since then.
Westfield beat Harrison 34-10 in Week 2, then sailed into Hoosier Crossroads Conference play with wins over Zionsville 49-16, Noblesville 24-10 and Hamilton Southeastern 14-3.
Then came Week 6 and what is arguably the turning point of the Shamrocks’ season. Westfield went to then unbeaten Brownsburg and won in overtime 43-42. The victory put the ‘Rocks in the driver’s seat of the HCC championship race.
Indeed, the Shamrocks put the pedal to the floor after edging out the Bulldogs. Westfield beat Avon 59-33 in Week 7, then claimed the HCC title with extraordinary dispatch in the final two weeks, beating Fishers 45-6 and Franklin Central 35-0.
In the post-season, the Shamrocks easily won Sectional 4 by beating Noblesville 35-0 in the semi-finals and Fishers 31-0 in the championship game, marking Westfield’s third straight shutout. In the Regional 2 championship, Homestead got an early score on the ‘Rocks before they snapped back to win 42-9.
After that was a trip to Merrillville for the north semi-state championship. The Pirates also put up some first-half resistance before Westfield took control in the third quarter and won 41-23.
“Friday night was awesome,” said Gilbert. “We expected to win, so we weren’t shocked to be in that situation, but when it actually hits you that after all the work you get the opportunity to play for a State Championship, it’s one of the most validating feelings in sports.”
The Shamrocks’ main offensive threat is junior quarterback Maximus Webster, who has been outstanding both throwing and running the ball. Webster is 127-of-190 through the air with 2,023 yards and 27 touchdowns, and has rushed for 813 yards and scored 14 times.
Junior Micah Hauser is the busiest man on the Westfield team, as a standout both on offense and defense. He’s also a leader, as he tops the rushing list with 941 yards and 11 touchdowns, and has the most tackles with 100, including three for a loss. Senior Mason Piening leads the receptions with 43, including 12 for TDs. Junior Popeye Williams has the most tackles for a loss with 10 and the most sacks with five.
“We had a good Monday,” said Gilbert. “We spent time honestly addressing how to deal with the enormity of the moment, the venue, the opponent, etc., but then we got back to the simplicity of playing football. Every day is the last practice for that day of the week of the season. We are grateful that we get to end the year on our terms. Monday was a great practice.”