Last Friday, your Rocks traveled to Carmel for the Sectional Championship against the Greyhounds. They didn’t give up the ship and earned the right to keep playing with a thrilling 23-20 overtime victory. Westfield received the opening kickoff to start this game. The offense picked up a couple of first downs before having to punt, and then Carmel’s fast-tempo offense went to work. As they tried to up the pace, the Rock D responded and held through four downs to take the ball back around midfield. Westfield’s offense capitalized on the early momentum shift with Aiden Grabowski finishing off the first scoring drive of the night for the Rocks (Diego Herrera kick). The Rock D stymied the Greyhound offense once more, forcing a punt on the attempted answer. Westfield took a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, and a big Kaleb Darts catch set the Rocks up for another score. Grabowski found Caiden Snow this time for the touchdown to extend the lead (Herrera kick). Carmel was able to answer this time, as they put together a scoring drive to trim the lead back to 7. Westfield wound up with the final possession of the half, and they moved the ball down to just across midfield before calling a timeout with 3 seconds left in the half. The Rocks chose to attempt a 49 yard field goal, and Nick Beam delivered as time expired in the half. Westfield took a 17-7 lead into the break. Carmel started the second half with the ball and looked to be threatening to trim the lead before Cato June came up with a big interception. Backed up on the 1-yard line after the takeaway, the Shamrock offense picked up a couple of big first downs to provide space for the punt. Noah Lee then uncorked a 60-yard punt that flipped the field for Westfield. The Rock D made a stop and received a punt back in much better field position. Unfortunately, the Greyhounds intercepted a Shamrock pass to take the ball back. Carmel took the short field and momentum into the fourth quarter, facing a 7-17 deficit. The Rock D produced a big hold to start the final period, and Carmel had to settle for a field goal. Westfield’s offense wasn’t able to get much going in answer, and a punt put the ball back in Carmel’s hands, down a score, with time beginning to wind down in regulation. The Greyhounds would eat up all but 30 seconds of the clock, working it down the field and eventually tying the game at 17. There was some consideration on Carmel’s part of going for two and the win, but they settled for the extra point. Westfield kneeled out the remaining 30 seconds and sent the game to overtime. Westfield won the overtime coin toss and elected to start on defense. The Rock D came up with a big hold, and Carmel had to settle for a kick once more. Westfield now had to match the 3 points to keep playing or score a touchdown to win. With four downs and the season on the line, Westfield pushed down to the four-yard line before facing their final down. The team huddled up, talked it over, and relied on their poise and confidence to try for the win. The Rocks set up in an obvious offensive formation, broadcasting their intent, and it all came down to one play from four yards out. Grabowski received the snap, took two aggressive steps forward, and then flipped the ball over the piling players to a wide-open Baylor Conner for the score, the win, and the championship. The Rocks flooded the end zone to celebrate the 23-20 victory. Next Friday, your Rocks will host the Fishers Tigers for the Regional Championship. Fishers comes in having beaten their rival for the second time of the season in the Sectional Championship and improving their record to 8-3 overall. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.