The Westfield football team won its sixth consecutive sectional championship on Friday, Nov. 7, beating Carmel 23-20 in overtime. (Richie Hall)
By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – It’s a remarkable thing when everyone moves in sync.
Westfield football quarterback Aiden Grabowski and tight end Baylor Conner were right in sync during the last play of the Shamrocks’ Sectional 3 championship battle with Carmel on Friday, Nov. 7. Westfield began the play down 20-17 and finished the play ahead 23-20 to claim their sixth consecutive Class 6A sectional championship in an overtime thriller at Carmel Stadium.
The Rocks were staring down a fourth-and-4 situation, so the game would either be won or lost with that play. Grabowski received the snap, took a couple steps forward, then jumped and threw a pass to Conner, who was already in the end zone to make the touchdown catch.
Conner turned and faced Grabowski while making his way into the end zone. He never took his eyes off the ball until he secured the reception.
“I just saw defenders go in,” said Conner. “I knew I was the only one [in the end zone]. I saw him jump up, throw it. It doesn’t feel real right now, but it was just an awesome moment once you see everything open up.”
“It was gutsy on a play, but that’s the preparation,” said Westfield coach Josh Miracle. “Our offensive staff and our defensive guys to get the stop there at the end.
Grabowski said Miracle gave his captains the option of trying that play.
“We wanted the win, so we went and got it,” said Grabowski. “We’ve run that play in practice for probably a couple weeks now. To see it come into a real-life game, that is awesome.”
The sectional victory was a reversal of the regular-season result, where the No. 2-ranked Greyhounds ran out to an early advantage and beat the No. 5-Shamrocks 34-10 in Week 2.
This time, Westfield jumped out to the early lead. Grabowski rushed for the game’s first touchdown, taking the ball three yards to score. Diego Herrera made the extra-point kick.
The Rocks began the second quarter with another touchdown; Cooper Melvin threw to freshman Caiden Snow for a two-yard TD. Herrera’s kick gave Westfield 14-0 advantage.
Josiah Gilmore got Carmel on the board with a four-yard run later in the second period, with Matthew Obermeier kicking the extra point. The Shamrocks got the last play of the half, when Nick Beam booted a 48-yard field goal to put Westfield ahead 17-7 at the break.
Obermeier made a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth to get Carmel within 17-10. The Hounds got the ball back and made a resolute drive down the field, culminating in a two-yard touchdown throw from Anthony Coellner to Bellin. Obermeier made the extra-point kick and it was on to overtime.
Carmel got the ball first and its drive ended with a 26-yard field goal from Obermeier. The Shamrocks made a big run on their first play of the overtime drive, but Carmel’s defense stopped them on the next two, setting up fourth and 4 and the winning play.
Melvin finished the game 13-of-19 through the air and totaled 123 yards. Connor rushed for 69 yards, while Snow collected six receptions. Olumide Fapetu and Isaac Weingart both made 12 total tackles, followed by Wade Washo and Deacon King with 11 total tackles each. Ja’Deon Smith made one quarterback sack.
Coellner finished the game 14-of-20 for 108 yards and gained 76 yards rushing. Will Massey totaled seven tackles, with Dane Bathurst making one sack for the Greyhounds, who finished the season 9-2.
Westfield is also 9-2 and hosts Fishers this Friday for the Regional 2 championship.
