Last night, your Rocks came home to host the Hamilton Southeastern Royals, falling 21-26. Westfield received the opening kick again this week, but unfortunately fumbled the ball away on the first play from scrimmage. The Royals took over with a very short field, and capitalized on the early mistake with a score. The Shamrock offense would sputter on the next possession, and the Royals drove the field again, this time being held to a field goal for an early 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Shamrocks had a long field goal attempt sail wide right to start the second, but the Rock D held and the offense got moving on the next Shamrock possession. Kendall Garnett dove inside of the pylon for a touchdown to trim the lead (Brody Boehm kick). With HSE trying to push a score in before the half, the Rock D was able to hold through all four downs, ending the threat and securing a kneel for a 10-7 Royal halftime score. HSE would start with the ball in the second half, and carved up the Rock D on the ground for a quick third quarter score. The Royals then came up with an interception to get the ball right back in Shamrock territory. The Rock D responded this time, holding the Royals to a field goal, but the Rocks found themselves in a 20-7 hole to start the fourth quarter. Westfield did not wither away. The Shamrock offense put together a quick drive that ended with Garnett’s second score of the night (Boehm kick). The Rock D then held the Royals to a three-and-out, and the Rocks found themselves down only six points, with the ball, and plenty of time left in the game. The Royal defense came up big again with a takeaway, poking the ball out from behind, only to land directly into a waiting defenseman’s arms. The Royals would return the ball for a defensive score, cutting off the Shamrock momentum that had been building. The Royals would fail their 2-point conversion attempt, and the Rocks would find themselves down 26-14 with only four minutes left in the game. Once more, however, the Shamrock offense bounced back with a solid drive and a score, Garnett finding paydirt for the third time (Boehm kick). The Royals retained possession after the ensuing onside kick from the Rocks, and the Rock D took things down to a big third-and-five in the waning moments of the game. They would not get the stop, with the Royals snagging the first down they needed to kneel out the game and securing the homecoming spoiler, 26-21. The Rocks will return to action next Friday when they travel to Brownsburg to face the top-ranked Bulldogs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.