#RockReport HSE JV

Busy week, so I got this up a little late this week. Apologies!

The Westfield Junior Varsity football team put forth a valiant effort against a very good HSE team. The game included 4 ties and 4 lead changes with the final lead change occurring in overtime with a field goal by an undefeated HSE JV team.

The Rocks were clicking most of the night on offense. Sophomore quarterback Andy Sweet contributed with a hand in 4 scores, three passing and one rushing. The first score of the game came on the first drive with a scramble by fleet-footed Sweet. The second score to tie the game at 14 came on the Rocks second possession with a 35 yard pass from Sweet to sophomore wide receiver Evan Manley. Manley deceived the HSE defenders into thinking he was running a short route, but immediately changed gears and ran a deep route for the touchdown. The third score was for the lead on the very next drive, as Sweet threw another long pass to sophomore receiver Davion Gibson (who has moved to Texas and will be missed). The Rocks went into half time with a 21-20 lead. On the first drive of the second half, Sweet completed a short pass to sophomore tight end Hayden Russell to give the rocks a 27-20 lead. The last score of the night was a 20 yard pass from Sweet to freshman running back Nate Froelich.

The JV defense for the Rocks had many ups and many downs throughout the course of the game. One of the bright spots was the play by sophomore defensive ends Liam Jagow and Brian Skelton. They were work horses for the defense and disrupted the offense regularly throughout the day. The biggest highlight of the morning for the Rocks defense came at the end of regulation. The game was tied 34-34, the HSE offense was driving and time was running out for the Rocks to get a decisive win. HSE was trying to run the ball off the right edge, when sophomore linebacker Josh “Meatball” Tuffnell tackled the running back and forced a fumble recovered by sophomore Hank Grenda. The offense unfortunately could not push the ball in the endzone and gave the ball back to HSE. Promptly sophomore safety Drew Newstifter intercepted an ill-advised pass by the HSE quarterback with about a minute remaining in regulation. The Rocks offense drove down the field and gave themselves and opportunity with :03 seconds left, but missed a very difficult field goal.

The JV Rocks team experienced their first loss of the year, but have bounced back well in practice and are prepared to return to their winning ways on Saturday September 27th at 10:00 am at home vs Brownsburg High School.