Unbreakable Rocks

The final Rock Report of the season is always a difficult one to write. I always try to do something a little less formulaic as a thank-you to the team and especially our seniors. The last game of the season is often bittersweet and emotional. On one hand, you have hopefully taken home some hardware (which we did). On the other, there is only one 5A team in the state that doesn't have to end their season with a loss (unfortunately, not us this season).

The Rocks traveled up to Kokomo hoping to secure a 5A regional championship, but they ran into a team that was hungrier for victory. The Wildkats are likely still celebrating their first ever 5A regional title, with a 21-19 win. Congratulations to them, and best of luck as their season continues. In defeat, we are reminded as to how fleeting championships can be. Celebrate every win, especially in the post-season, because it can easily and suddenly be your last. Which is exactly why we must always reflect on the positive when and where it occurs.

This senior class has earned 3 consecutive sectional titles. They have been a part of 3 winning seasons. To put that in perspective, in the last ten years, no other class (with the exception of last year's seniors) had been a part of even back-to-back winning seasons. Success on the football field has never been easy in Westfield, Indiana. And success is never given; it is always earned. This group of young men is one of the smaller groups in recent memory, but what they lack in numbers they have more than accounted for in heart and hard work. It is easy to be part of a crowd. It is much harder when you are one of a small few. It requires extra dedication, and their stewardship of the program should serve as inspiration for those that follow. To be a Rock is not always to win, but always to fight, always to work, always to persevere. To be a Rock is to be unbreakable. The unbroken dedication of this group of seniors translated into success for the program, both on and off the field. Thank you, Seniors. It has been a pleasure to row alongside you.

To the rest of the 2015 Rocks, continue to pack light and bring a workman's attitude. This is not the summit. There are yet peaks to see, if only you have the courage and fortitude to make the journey. For you, the offseason has already begun. The closing of one chapter can be the start of another. How will you honor the dedication of these seniors? How will you build upon what it means to be a Rock?

#GameDay Regional Championship - Kokomo

There are only 8 5A teams still playing football in the state of Indiana. Kokomo and your Rocks are two of them. They meet tonight on the Wildkats home field, just 30 short miles to the north.

Kokomo comes in with an unblemished 11-0 record. They've mastered an old school rugby scrum formation that has led to a highly productive run game. They are averaging 45 points per game with 468 yards per game (366 on the ground). They have a three pronged attack with RBs Jeron Gray (#1), Keenen Wheeler (#31), and Marcelle Kenner (#87). They've had several games where all three have gone for over 100 yards on the ground. Gray leads the way, averaging about 150 yard per game on the ground. Despite the heavy ground attack, QB Kyle Wade (#7) still finds a way to average 100 yards per game passing. WR Jordan Matthews (#12) is his favorite target. 

The Rock D will be tested in a different way this week. Last week it was speed and athleticism. This week it will be physical, pound-the-Rock style football with a sprinkling of deep strikes thrown in. The Offense will need to put up some points early against a stout Wildkat defense that is only allowing a paltry 14 points per game. If the Rocks can score, it will put pressure on the Kats to get out of their comfort zone and have to play from behind. 

It's a tall task, going into a unfriendly territory. The Rocks could use every voice. It should be a beautiful night for playoff football. There will only be 4 teams left after tonight. Make the short drive to support your Rocks! Need directions? We've got you covered. Kickoff is scheduled for 7PM.

#GameDay Sectional 11 Championship - Lafayette Jeff

The representative of Sectional 11 in the state tournament will be decided tonight at Riverview Health Stadium in Westfield. Your Rocks face the Lafayette Jefferson Bronchos in a showdown of old conference foes. The Rocks haven't played Jeff in a couple years since the restructuring of the conference, but used to see them every year. Jeff typically brings a lot of athleticism to the table, and that looks to be consistent with this season's team.

The Bronchos come in with an 8-2 record. They average 37 points per game on 450 yards per game (270 passing). They are a team that will try to beat you with speed, and quick strikes, whether those be long runs or long passes. RB Latrell Brown (#22) averages 88 yards per game on the ground, while QB Devon Colonis (#4) throws for 266 yards per game. The only common opponent from the teams is Harrison. Jeff won their contest against Harrison 54-50.

The Rocks will need to stop the Broncho high-octane scoring attack to take home the hardware. Come out and lend your voice to the team tonight. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.

#GameDay Sectional I - Harrison

For most 5A teams across the state of Indiana, today is the opening day of the playoffs. Your Rocks will be taking on the Harrison Raiders in a rematch of the first game of the season. The Rocks won that one 38-21.

Harrison finished up the regular season with a win over Marion, 56-14. They logged a 4-5 overall record, while scoring 31.1 points per game. RB Dawson Dahnke (#35) comes in averaging just over 100 ground yards per game, while QB J. Dan Sturgeon (#8) has thrown for 16 TDs and 1025 yards. His favorite target is WR Adam Strugeon (#82) who has 5 of those TDs and 363 yards.

The Rocks look to have the advantage on paper in this one, but will need to come out swinging as the playoffs are a chance for everyone in the state to start fresh. Both teams are now 0-0, and it will be up to Westfield to start their playoff journey with an urgent and firm first step.

Chilly weather means playoff time in Indiana, so bundle up and head on out to Riverview Health Stadium for tonight's contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.

#GameDay Brebeuf

The last game of the regular season finds your #unbreakable Rocks traveling down to Brebeuf to take on the Braves. Brebeuf is 5-3 averaging 255 yards per game (155 passing) and 19 points per game. They bring a two-pronged rushing attack, with QB Luke Iffert (#3) often out-rushing starting RB Jett Mcgowan (#41). Both are averaging around 40 yards per game. Their top two receivers are Sam Snyder (#6) and Max Kucer (#8), with targets evenly split between the two. On defense, Will Roberts (#10) and Gerard Carthy (#51) lead the team in tackles for loss, and will look to put pressure on our front line.

The Rocks are currently sitting at 4-4, and would love to finish out above .500. They will have to fight for each other tonight against a non-conference opponent that they have not seen before. As always on the road, friendly voices in the stands are wholly appreciated. Need directions? We've got you covered below. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.

#GameDay Fishers

Your Rocks will be squaring off against the Fishers Tigers tonight at beautiful Riverview Health Stadium. The Tigers come in with an identical 4-3 record (2-2 HCC). They are 3-0 on the road this season, but are on a 2 game losing streak. Both teams will be looking to get back in the win column tonight and improve their conference standing.

The Tigers are lead by RB #22 Jeremy Chinn's 8 Touchdowns. He's notched 6 rushing TDs (54.1 YPG), adding a punt return and a pick six. He'll play on both sides of the ball for them, and the Rocks will be challenged to limit his effectiveness. QB #10 Zach Eaton helms the offense. His 1189 passing yards are good for 5th in the conference, and spreads the ball effectively to several receiving targets. On defense, the Tiger D-line has notched 18 team sacks, with several linemen ranking in the conference.

The Rocks will need to protect QB Ryan Pepiot tonight and open holes for Brandon Karsnick in order to assert their offensive will. LB Jackson Garrett will lead a Rock D that needs to generate some takeaways this week and bottle up the Tiger run game. Look for fireworks in this conference finale as both teams would really like the positive momentum with the postseason looming.

It's the last regular season home game, so we will be celebrating our seniors tonight. Come out tonight and show them your appreciation while cheering your Rocks on to victory! Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.

#GameDay Avon

Tonight the Rocks will travel to Avon to take on the Orioles. Avon comes in with an identical 4-2 record (2-1 HCC, having played an additional non-conference game). Like Brownsburg, they are averaging nearly 40 points per game and can put up points in a hurry. They've averaged 422 yards per game of total offence (271 through the air), and their QB #18 Brandon Peters is a nationally ranked recruit that leads the conference with 1351 passing yards. Top WR #15 Andrew Griffin is his favorite target, as he too leads the conference with 582 receiving yards. On the defensive side, #90 AJ Elcock is leading the HCC in sacks with 8.

On the line for the Rocks is a return to the win column, plus if they deal Avon its second conference defeat, there will be a many-way tie for second place. HSE would hold the top spot and Zionsville brings up the rear, but everyone else could be sitting in the middle with 2 losses.

Needless to say, facing such a talented opponent, on the road, with conference standing on the line... we need all the friendly voices we can get. Hopefully you'll make the trip over to Avon and support your Rocks. Need directions (tip: the HWY 267 route may be preferable this week)? We've got you covered below. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm. Hope to see you there!

#Gameday Brownsburg

Tonight, your Rocks come home and look to bounce back against the Brownsburg Bulldogs. Westfield comes in with a 4-1 (2-1 HCC) record, while the Dogs are 1-4 (0-2 HCC). Brownsburg's two conference losses were against Fishers and Avon, so we've yet to face a common opponent.

Brownsburg's record may not indicate it, but they have a fantastic core of talent that can score a lot of points. They come in with a 38 PPG average and 485 YPG of offense. WR Tyler Kirtz (#17) leads the conference with 520 receiving yards and has accounted for 52 of the team's points (3rd HCC). They combine their significant air threat with a comparable ground threat in RB Toks Akinribade (#24), who averages 117 YPG on the ground. Like Hercules of Greek legend, the Rocks will need to club Brownsburg's Orthrus tonight, while capitalizing on every scoring opportunity.

No directions needed for this one. Make your way to the beautiful Riverview Health Stadium to partake in the homecoming festivities. Remember to bring some cash if you'd like to contribute to the IWIN charity drive. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.

#Gameday HSE

Lucas Oil Stadium sits patiently downtown, awaiting the arrival of your #unbreakable Rocks. What a great opportunity to play in such a nice arena!

Hamilton Southeastern will be meeting us there. The Royals bring in a 3-1 record (3-0 in the HCC). They are riding a 3 game win streak, with some dramatic victories against their last two opponents. They average 27 points with 124 rushing yards and 226 passing yards per game. #23, Aaron Matio is the player to watch in this one. He accounts for 120 YPG of the Royal offense and has 4 touchdowns for them on the season. Their QB, Carter Poiry, has racked up 883 yards which is good for 4th in the conference.

The Royals have a big front line and will come out looking to push the Rocks around and have their way on the ground. They'll mix in an explosive play action passing game to keep the Rock D honest. The Rocks will need to hold their ground and answer with their own 1-2 rush/pass punch. The Royals have been a come-from-behind team, so the Rocks will certainly have to finish in this one.

Need directions to Lucas Oil? We've got you covered. See you at the game! Kickoff will follow 25 minutes after the conclusion of the previous game, and is tentatively scheduled for 8:30pm.

#Gameday Noblesville

Tonight, your #unbreakable Rocks will strive to keep an unblemished 4-0 record. Making the short, 8.6 mile drive from Noblesville are the Millers, hoping to derail our momentum. Conference rivals, county rivals, other-side-of-the-tracks rivals, the Midland Rail trophy heads home with the winner of this one. Since 2004, Noblesville holds the edge on this rivalry 7-6.

Noblesville enters the contest with a 2-1 record (0-1 in the conference) after getting beaten up by Fishers last week. They will be hungry to get back to making progress in the win column and fighting not to fall behind in the conference. They bring a fantastic spread running game to the table, and will challenge the Rocks to make stops and counter with explosive plays.

It is always a hard-fought game when these two meet, so be sure to head out to Riverview Health Stadium tonight for a great one under the lights. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.

Lucas Oil Part 1

Your Rocks get the opportunity to take on HSE in Lucas Oil Stadium this season on September 18th. Advance tickets are being sold through the Athletic Department, and Westfield gets to keep a cut of those sales. Plus, it's cheaper for you to get them through us. For more information check out the school's site here.

It is a great place to see a game, and hopefully not the only chance you'll get to see us there this year.

#Gameday Zionsville

Tonight, your #unbreakable Rocks look to improve to 3-0 against neighboring Zionsville. The Eagles come in to the contest undefeated as well, hoping to steal the Shining Star rivalry trophy that currently sits in Westfield. That trophy will make the short bus ride with the Rocks as they launch a raid into Eagle territory, aiming for two tough road wins in as many weeks.

Fighting in hostile territory, the Rocks need as many friendly voices as possible. Organize raiding caravans of your own and follow the Rocks into battle with Zionsville tonight. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.

#Gameday Southport

Tonight, your Rocks will make the trek down to Southport High School to take on the Class 6A #9 Cardinals. They face a high-powered Southport passing offense that can put up points in a hurry. Last week, the Cardinals played Roncalli, putting up 21 points in the second quarter alone. Roncalli fought back to make it a game, and Southport hung on with some defensive heroics in the latter part of the game. This week looks like it could be a QB duel with both defenses looking to lock down the opposing scoring threats. Westfield will need to ground the air attack and put up some points of their own in order to win this game.

Your #unbreakable Rocks could sure use your voices in the stands! We know it's a long drive, but the weather should be beautiful and we have you covered with directions. See you at the game!

#GameDay Harrison

It's finally here! The countdown shows less than 4 hours to go until the opening kickoff of the 2015 season. Very soon, we will be charging out onto our new field for the very first time. We hope the place will be packed. We hope that the entire community that has been so very supportive even before we had this exciting new stadium will be there to cheer us on. We hope to reward the tireless efforts and abundant donations of the countless people that made this dream home into a reality with a very special 2015 season. We promise to compete with every ounce of our energy and play to the very pinnacle of our potential. We think that will mean a lot of fun Friday nights.  And it starts tonight against the visiting Harrison Raiders. What a great day to be a Shamrock.

See you at the launch pad.

Soft Opening

Nothing flashy this week. Just a scrimmage against defending 6A State Champion, Ben Davis. Consider it a soft opening of The Rock; an appetizer for the main course next week. Appetizers can be pretty fantastic, though, so come on out tonight. Get your first taste of Friday Night Lights, and see your #unbreakable Rocks in action.

Scrimmage format information can be found here. I believe we are doing Option B. First snap is at 7pm.

And We're Off!

16 days left until the opening kickoff of the 2015 season. That means practice is in full swing. The Rocks all reported to camp on Monday, and got things rolling. Two practices and one extremely challenging obstacle course later, they have demonstrated what it means to be #unbreakable. Now, we're going to keep that momentum rolling right into the normal practice schedule.

For fans, your first official look at the team can be Saturday morning, when we have our annual Green vs Gold game at 10AM.

We're pretty busy brushing off the dust and warming up our pads, but I wanted to pass along some images from camp.