#RockReport JV at Zionsville

The Westfield Junior Varsity football team played their third game of the season on Saturday this week.  The opponent?  The villainous Eagles of Zionsville Community High School.  The game was exciting and the score vacillated like a metronome in prestissimo, but the JV Rocks were eventually able to take control and win the game 47-36.

Both teams defenses started the day with a bend but don’t break mentality, allowing the opposing offense to establish an early drive before having to punt.  The Rocks offense drew first blood when sophomore quarterback and player of the game Nick Talley connected with sophomore Ayden Franzen for a red zone touchdown.  The Eagles answered with a score of their own, despite a forced fumble by sophomore special teams player of the game David Frey.

The next drive Talley, punched the ball in for 1 yard after sophomore running back Jack Pfeiffer carried them down the field, but Zionsville answered right back with a long touchdown of their own.  Before the half, the Rocks offense was forced to punt but were able to pin the Eagles deep in their own territory.  The JV Rocks defense earned their keep and forced the Eagles backwards giving the offense outstanding field position leading to a Pfeiffer score.  The Rocks ended the half with an interception by sophomore safety Joey Wolfe.

The second half was more of the same.  The Rocks defense allowed a long opening drive touchdown, and the Rocks offense answered with a long touchdown of their own from Talley to Franzen.  The Eagles scored a long touchdown of their own, and the Rocks answered with a long pass and touchdown from Talley to sophomore wide receiver Carson Voorhis.

The Rocks finally caught a break when sophomore defensive player of the game Zander Nguyen was finally able to take the Eagles quarterback down on 4th down forcing a turnover on downs.  The Rocks offense was unable to extend their lead.  The Eagles drove the ball down and scored with a 2-point conversion giving the Eagles the lead late in the game with a 36-35 score.  The pressure was on the Rocks to answer a score with a score again.  On 3rd and long deep in their own territory, Talley was able to work his magic and connect with Voorhis for another long play setting the Rocks up with the game winning touchdown.  The Rocks found themselves up by 5 points, with the seemingly juggernaut of a Zionsville offense with the ball breathing down their necks.  The defense was able to stand firm with a huge play by sophomore cornerback Christiaan Huisden making a key stop on 4th down on a fake punt play by the Eagles.  The Rocks were able to score again sealing the deal with a pass from Talley to sophomore tight end Reid Scheppers.  Junior cornerback Grant Joyce sealed the game with an interception and a Rocks victory of 47-36.

The JV Rocks football team will look to keep their momentum going when they play noblesville High School on Saturday September 8th at 10 a.m.   The game will be at home (finally).