By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
WESTFIELD – It’s never a good thing when a high school football game is peppered with penalties. Both Avon and Westfield had their fair share of yellow flags thrown. If it wasn’t turnovers, three missed field goals or a blocked punt, the first half had many moments that warranted a pretty heated halftime locker room.
There must have been something that the Westfield coaching staff drove home to the Shamrocks that turned their first half miscues into multiple positives in a 35-21 win over Avon last night.
“It felt like we should have had a good lead at half and then had the ball coming out. We missed three field goals. I think we finished the night with eight penalties, some that were self-inflicted and unacceptable,” said Westfield head coach Jake Gilbert on the impact penalties and mishaps on special teams affected the first half.
It became a habit for the ‘Rocks to begin drives in Avon territory. Westfield had the fortune of beginning 10 of their 14 offensive possessions on Avon’s side of the field. Their first series began at the Avon 37. Four plays into it, Cole Ballard ran up the middle for a 7-0 lead.
Avon quarterback Mason Reynolds fumbled on his own 21, giving Westfield a short field.
A false start brought the third play back to a 3rd down and 12 at the Avon 23. The ‘Rocks fumbled it right back. The Orioles didn’t get far, being forced to punt
After a short punt, Avon held strong on defense and forced Westfield into a field goal opportunity. Brody Boehm would miss wide right on a 44-yard attempt.
The Orioles then put together a drive in the early part of the second quarter that resulted in a two-yard touchdown run from Dailon Zeigler to tie it 7-7.
The ‘Rocks blocked an Avon punt and recovered it at the Oriole 34, but Boehm would miss another field goal just into the final minute before halftime, leaving the score 7-7.
“Obviously, poor on our offense and the execution in the first half, but much better in the second half,” stated Gilbert on Westfield’s turnaround in the second half offensively.
“Great by our defense the whole time. So, the defense had their backs against the wall and had to keep going and making plays. For them to come up with five takeaways, that’s amazing,” said Gilbert on his defense’s performance throughout the game.
Sophomore Kendall Garnett is turning into quite the back for Westfield. Being thrust into a starting role in the past few weeks has really sparked him and bolstered his production.
Garnett found the end zone for the first of his two scores on a one-yard run up the middle that broke the tie, putting Westfield up 14-7 early in the third.
On the next Avon series, Reynolds fumbled and Mikeah Webster pounced on it. Once again with great field position, Boehm was set for a shorter field goal. This time, it was blocked by the Orioles.
It took no time at all and Westfield stripped the ball from Reynolds.
Starting at the Avon 31, Ballard capped off the short drive with a one-yard run for the TD to make it 21-7.
The next time on offense, Ballard threw an interception. A few plays later, the Orioles cut into the Shamrock lead.
A penalty was called and Avon ran a play with no time on the third quarter clock. On a 3rd down and 18 at Westfield’s 29, Reynolds found Cameron Green for an 18-yard TD pass, narrowing the gap to 21-14 after three.
The next drive for Westfield, Garnett ran from five yards out pushing it back to a two-score game at 28-14.
“Our running back played his butt off. I thought our quarterback (Cole Ballard) was a warrior. I felt like our defense was extremely opportunistic with their takeaways,” stated Gilbert on the play of Garnett and Ballard in the backfield.
Avon wasn’t giving up hope on a comeback, but time wasn’t on their side. The scored in the middle of the 4th on a five-yard run from Jaiden Jones, cutting it to 28-21.
The ‘Rocks were then faced with a third down and nine at the Avon 34. Ballard faked the draw to Garnett and kept it, running up the middle for a 34-yard touchdown for what would be the final score of 35-21.
“They kind of willed us to win,” said Gilbert of Garnett and Ballard.
“I thought the o-line picked it up. We had a whole new o-line from last week. Three guys in different spots, two new players and they started to get in sync in the second half and I was happy with that,” stated Gilbert, complementing the offensive line.
“We did what we had to do to win the game. We have great potential, poor execution as a team, poor discipline, but we’re working on it. I’m just happy we got the win,” continued Gilbert on some areas the Shamrocks need to improve on before next week’s game at Fishers.
Having a sense of urgency, the Orioles took to the air and that’s when Shamrock defensive back Andrew Lieske picked off a Reynolds pass that sealed the game for Westfield.
Avon (0-7, 0-5 HCC) is having trouble trying to piece together a win. Last season, the Orioles dropped their first eight before winning their regular season finale against Noblesville.
The Orioles host Zionsville (4-3, 2-3 HCC) next week.
Kendall Garnett carried 29 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns and Cole Ballard ran for 96 yards on 13 rushes and three scores.
Westfield (4-3, 3-2 HCC) has a tough task on the road at Fishers (5-2, 3-2 HCC) on Friday.
WESTFIELD 35, AVON 21
Score by Quarters
Avon 0 7 7 7 – 21
Westfield 7 0 14 14 – 35
Team Stats AVON WF
First Downs 15 13
Rushes-Yards 36-159 48-203
Yards Passing 152 107
Comp-Att-Int-TD 11-21-1-1 7-17-0-0
Fumbles-Lost 5-4 3-0
Penalties-Yards 10-72 7-45
Punts-Average 5-23.0 3-23.7
Westfield Scoring
First Quarter
8:35 – Cole Ballard 3-yard run (Brody Boehm kick)
Third Quarter
9:54 – Kendall Garnett 1-yard run (Boehm kick)
3:05 – Ballard 1-yard run (Boehm kick)
Fourth Quarter
9:21 – Garnett 5-yard run (Boehm kick)
2:33 – Ballard 34-yard run (Boehm kick)
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Garnett 24-126, Ballard 16-64, Ryan Creager 4-13, Gabe Aramboles 1-2, Luke Hay 3-minus 2.
Passing: Ballard 7-17-107.
Receiving: Maximus Nosler 4-81, Dillon Thieneman 1-18, Aramboles 1-10, Creager 1-minus 2.