On Saturday, August 27th, the Freshman Rocks of Westfield took the field against their opponents hailing from the Southside of Indianapolis – the Southport Cardinals. The young Rocks displayed both mental and physical fortitude against their opponents and the elements alike, coming away with a resounding 27-14 victory in the midst of a classic Midwest rain squall.
The Rocks kicked away to start the game, giving the multi-faceted Southport attack the ball first. The Cardinals made a push into the red zone, but Jacob Netral (DE), Eli Patchett (LB), Levi Kaster (LB), and company put an end to that on the big 3rd down play, forcing a Southport field goal attempt that was blocked. Camden Simons and the Rock offense came out for a drive of their own and quickly went to work mounting a ground attack, the offensive line bulldozing the Southport front and the cavalcade of running backs finding running room and pushing the ball forward. After great runs by Trevor Lickfeldt, Eli Patchett, and the quarterback Simons, Zack Allen found his way into the end zone on a 13 yard rush from the line of scrimmage.
The defense of the Rocks went back to work the following drive and made the Southport journey to the end zone a long and difficult one. Defensive player of the game Luke Honeycut (DT) was consistently on the Cardinal side of the line of scrimmage all day, making big stops against both the running and passing attacks.
After a Southport TD and extra point knotting the score up at 7, and a kickoff returned to the 40 by Honeycut, the offense stormed the field with their response. The six blocks of granite – McLaurin, Honeycut, Parker, Netral, Krieg, and Kaster – paved the way for long runs by Lickfeldt and Simons, capping off the drive with a 10 yard rush by Patchett into the end zone.
Alex Juarez and Levi Kaster combined for a big 4th down stop against the Cardinals on the subsequent Southport drive, but the offense could not capitalize, instead punting and giving the defense another opportunity to return the ball into Westfield hands. The defense did not disappoint, as they sniffed out a Southport jet sweep, allowing the offense to take over from the 50 yard line with barely a minute to go in the half.
One minute proved to be more than enough time, as the rushing attack of the Rocks made swift work. Quarterback Cam Simons called his own number for a 34 yard run down into Southport territory, and then Trevor Lickfeldt penetrated into the defense, powering his way into the end zone for a big 15 yard score before half. The PAT by Riddle was good, and the Rocks went up 21-7.
As the Rocks kicked off the third quarter, special teams player of the game Gabe Henderson and Mr. Consistency Grant Joyce stormed forward on kickoff return. The Rocks knew that they controlled their own destiny, and the offense wanted to ensure that this destiny would be a great one. After another Honeycut return, the Rock offense took the ball from their own 45 yard line, and this time, the Rocks called upon the passing skills of Simons to lead them into the end zone. Simons found wide receiver Mason Cox running free and delivered the ball into his waiting hands for another Rocks score. The PAT did not go through the uprights, and the score stood at 27-7.
After another fourth down stop against the Cardinals by Luke Honeycut, the Rock offense took charge once again, finding tight end Levi Kaster for a big gain up the middle. The drive fell short of the end zone, though, and the Cardinals took back over, forced back away from the end zone yet again by the Westfield defensive eleven.
Upon the next possession, quarter back Hunter Will entered the game and led the offense, calling his own number for big runs up the middle. As the game wound down, the fighting Cardinals of Southport found the end zone one last time in their great effort to win the game. The Rocks were unfazed, however, and kept the ball away from the Cardinals as the clock wound down.
This team has proved its mettle in both of its games, and now it will take on a tough test from Highway 32 West – the Zionsville Eagles. The young Rocks are ready to take part in this classic rivalry. They will be at home on Labor Day, September 5th. Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy this great American holiday by coming out to support these fine young men at 6:00 p.m. at Riverview Health Stadium. Go Rocks!
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