Shamrock Advantage Week

This announcement is going to be primarily for Shamrock athletes and coaches, but first I wanted to check-in quickly. It's been quiet on here, but busy behind the scenes. January kicks off Football Coaching Clinic Season. The next few months have tons of coaching clinics, and our staff tries very hard to attend a great many of them. We want to learn as much as possible and be prepared for next season. It never hurts to learn. Off-season workouts have also begun, though they've been somewhat hit or miss with all the crazy weather. Thus, the heart of winter is really a nose-to-the-grindstone type of time for football players. Quiet, but productive.

I wanted to take the time to announce a week-long series of talks being coordinated by our own Coach Miracle: Shamrock Advantage Week. The week is devoted to improving the mental performance of Westfield High School athletes. Players and coaches will be educated on different mental training practices in order to gain a mental edge on opponents. Speaking topics will include: Competing in Big Moments, Building Confidence, Developing Toughness, Maintaining Focus, Mental Imagery Techniques, Nutritional Insights, and many more. Speakers will include: 4-time State Champion Coach Scott Lidskin, State Runner-up Coach Jake Gilbert, Olympic qualifier Whitney Bevins-Lazzara, St. Vincent Master Trainer Dee Mahoney, and NCAA All-American Ben Wachtel... among others.

This series of speakers will be presenting in the WHS LGI room (next to the auditorium) from 3-4pm every day next week (Feb 3 - Feb 7). There is no cost of any Westfield athlete or coach (any sport, HS or MS level) to attend the sessions. For more information, contact Coach Miracle or Athletic Director Bill Davis.

Winter is clinic season, and sometimes the best way to learn is to teach. We're hoping to cover both those bases with this opportunity. Should be some great speakers. Hope to see you there!

Light Em Up

The Mayor had some nice things to say about the football team on Saturday night, inviting us up on stage to help light Westfield's Christmas tree. We're honored to have been honored, if that's a thing. It's been said before on here, but we love our community! It was a pretty good time, but then, somehow, Coach Gilbert got a hold of the microphone.

Next thing we all knew, we were sprinting down the lit pathway, bursting onto the green, and singing the school song around the bright-green tree. Or maybe that was just in my head. What can I say? Coach has that effect. And it was cold.

Last but not least, AP All-State is out. Huge shout out to all of our young men who earned honors:

• WR - Devin Reece 
• OL - Zane Burtron
• DL - Jacob Robinson
• HM - Nick Ferrer, Elvin Caldwell, Frank Grimes, Nick Krieg, Mitch Turley, Matt Crupi, Turner Edwards, and Nick Dowd

That's a lot of Rocks.

Quick Announcement

Added a couple of events to our calendar:

1. Westfield in Lights Tree Lighting - The team will be recognized by the mayor at this year's event (this Saturday, Dec 7). There is a whole itinerary on the city website here, but the mayoral address should start at around 6:30 on the main stage.
2. Our end of season banquet for players and parents is scheduled and on the calendar (Dec 18). It'll be at 7pm in the WHS auditorium.

Hope to see you there!

Westfield, A True Team

The morning after the end of your football season is one of the most difficult to face. The sun seems dimmer. The world, colder. There is an emptiness. The singularity of purpose that drove you for the last several months has suddenly been ripped away. This is loss.

Whether your season ends at Lucas Oil Stadium or on a brightly lit field somewhere else, it is a painful thing. There are no more film sessions, no workouts, no practice tomorrow. Finally, you can sleep in, but you quickly discover that you would rather be tired and groggy and sweating with your team. When did your warm bed become second place? 

Westfield became intimately acquainted with second place last night, and the bittersweet success it represents. It was an emotional scene following the 5A State Final. Tears were shed and hugs exchanged between men that call each other "brothers." One gets the sense that there would have been tears even had the Rocks won. Going into the game, we knew that, no matter the outcome, this was the last time this wonderful family would play together. An end must come to all things. 

This was not the end we wanted, nor the way we wanted to go out. There have been brighter spots throughout the season than were shown last night, but it was not for lack of effort or desire. Sometimes, no matter how prepared, and how hard you've worked, and how bad you want it... it is not meant to be. And, to give credit where credit is due, we played a very good football team. It would have taken a very special night for us to beat them. Last night was not such a night.

Yet, it was special, for many other reasons that will become easier to stomach with time and distance.Through the grief, we are reminded that God is still good. The journey was very worthy of the destination. The opportunity and experience was one to be remembered and treasured for years to come. Let's not forget that history was made. A community was energized. Differences were made in many lives, both local and global. And a legacy was left.

I hope when people reflect upon this team, they see in it a blueprint for a very "right" kind of success. Teamwork remains the world's very best competitive advantage. This is true not just on fields of sport, but in almost every area of life. There are many areas of talent that can be built and developed, but teamwork is both the most elusive and most effective, accessible by everyone. This truth, revealed slowly over hours, days, weeks, and months of dedication to a purpose, is neither secret nor unique . It can work for anyone in any situation. Come together, work your butt off, serve one another... and you will make a difference in the lives around you. Forge a team, and opportunity will shower you.

Many of us coaches have been a part of true teams before. Likely, it was that very experience that motivated us to dedicate a large part of our lives to chasing the dream again. It may only come once in a great many years. It is that special. It truly has the power to move mountains. To have found it again, with this team, is truly a blessing. 

We are thankful to our community for supporting us so very well. Administrators, school, parents, fans, even neighbors. We have felt the love. The picture below was on Twitter with the tagline "You don't see this everyday in high school football." Very true, and we are filled with gratitude. 

Most of all, I'd like to thank the players. We set out to make this journey one of the most amazing experiences of your life. Somewhere along the way, it became one of ours as well. And that makes second place just a little less painful.

Thank you for a great season!

More State Info!

More from the Athletic Department:

Before our football team heads downtown for the 5A State Championship game, we want them to know how much we love and support our Rocks.  There will be 2 opportunities for your show your Rock pride and send them to Lucas Oil READY and RESOLVED.

On Friday at 4:00 pm, there will be a pep rally in the auditorium.  In addition to music, cheers, and a  highlight video, our captains and Coach Gilbert will be speaking.  Seating is limited to 800 and doors open at 3:30. 

The team will be leaving directly from the pep rally at 4:30 pm  from entrance 5.  We are asking all Shamrock fans to line the streets and wish them well.  By 4:20, please be along the WHS sidewalks from the auditorium to Hoover Street; or along Hoover street to 31 with your banners, signs, and anything else green.  You can then head downtown to either taligate or dine at Basey’s Downtown Grill where 10% will be returned to the gridiron club. 

Please share this info with anyone and everyone who is proud of our football team. 

We hope to see you at one or both of these events!!!!  

In addition, I've been made aware that State shirts for the Green-out are on sale. There is a deadline of 4pm TODAY. Please check out the link HERE for more details.

State Finals Information

From the Athletic Department...

IHSAA 5A State Championship Game

Friday, November 29  7:05 PM

Lucas Oil Stadium

Tickets: $15.00

All seats are general admission. Pre-school children admitted at no charge. Single day tickets may be purchased at WHS (see schedule below) PLEASE Purchase advance tickets at WHS and $1.00 for every ticket sold will be reimbursed to WHS.  Cash and Checks only.  Make checks payable to WHS. 

Tickets also will be available game day at the Lucas Oil Stadium Ticket Office located on the southeast side of the venue at street level nearest Capitol Avenue.

Ticket Sale Schedule at WHS Athletic Office:

Monday          7:30 AM  -  5:00 PM

Tuesday         7:30 AM -  6:00 PM

Wednesday   7-9 AM, 11PM-1PM, 5-7PM

Friday            10 AM  -  12 PM

 

Friday Game Schedule

Class A Tri-Central (13-1) vs Eastern Hancock (14-0)12 pm
Class 3A Andrean (14-0) vs Brebeuf Jesuit (11-3) 3:30 pm
Class 5A Westfield (12-1) vs Cathedral (9-5) 7:05 pm

#RockReport - Semi-State Final; Concord

Varsity Football completed their fourth step on the tournament run, defeating the Concord Minutemen 35-3 on Friday night.

Offensively, the Shamrocks game
out and punched the Minutemen in the mouth, scoring on all of their early possessions. Elvin Caldwell had another strong showing on the ground, punching the ball in several times behind the blocking of Zane Burtron and Renzo Alvarez. The big TD pass of the game was when Nick Ferrer found Nick Henderson down the middle for an early score.

The Rock Defense dominated the high-scoring Minutemen, allowing only one Field Goal on the night. Matt Crupi was in the backfield often, making sure their Quarterback got muddy. Mitch Turley and Turner Edwards continued their trend of champion-quality play, refusing to give up any easy yards. The defense started out with a big play when Luke Peters intercepted Concord’s very first play from scrimmage, and kept the momentum from there.

Shamrock Special Teams responded when called on, holding the Shamrock advantage in this phase of the game. Matt Kinney played well on the kickoff squad, and Ryan Wonderlin kept things consistent with Rock-solid effort.

Special mention should be given to Daniel Kainrath, Zach Krieg, Andrew Sweet, and Josh Hayward. These Rocks made significant contributions in preparing the team for the Friday contest. They pushed the train throughout the week, providing the best possible look for their fellow teammates.

Resolve to support Rocks Football next Friday, when Westfield will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to play in the State Final against Indianapolis Cathedral. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05pm.