Rocks hold off Royals, stay perfect in HCC

The REPORTER

Westfield won a tough all-county and Hoosier Crossroads Conference battle at Hamilton Southeastern Friday, Sept. 19, beating the Royals 21-17.

After a scoreless first quarter, both teams played a call-and-respond game in the other three periods. Southeastern scored first, with Carter Reed punching the ball in from the one-yard line early in the second quarter. Luke Marchionni made the extra-point kick.

The Shamrocks responded in a big way, with Broc Parker hauling in an 88-yard touchdown pass from Aiden Grabowski. As a result, HSE led 7-6 at halftime.

The Royals’ defense stepped up early in the third quarter, as Henry Wans recovered a fumble at the Southeastern three-yard line, then took it 97 yards the other way for a touchdown. Marchionni’s kick gave the Royals a 14-6 lead.

Westfield tied the game later in the third. Deacon King made a seven-yard touchdown run, then
Grabowski was good on a two-point run, knotting the game at 14-14.

Marchionni made a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth to push Southeastern ahead 17-14. The Shamrocks responded on their next drive, with Cooper Melvin finding Andrew Noble for a 55-yard touchdown. Diego Herrera made the extra-point kick. Westfield made a final drive during the last four minutes and made four first downs to clinch the game.

King totaled 148 yards rushing for the Rocks, while Grabowski and Melvin combined for 257 yards of passing and one touchdown each. Baylor Conner had five receptions. Reid Dikos made eight tackles and Olumide Fapetu had seven tackles.

Reed gained 116 yards rushing for the Royals.

Westfield is 3-0 in conference play and 4-1 overall and hosts Brownsburg this Friday. Southeastern is 1-2 in the conference and 3-2 overall and plays this Friday at Zionsville.