On Friday, your Rocks traveled to Noblesville High School to face the Millers with the Midland Rail Rivalry trophy on the line. Your Rocks would move through the rivalry portion of the schedule unscathed, and retain the trophy for another year with a 38-18 victory. Westfield started the game with a quick defensive stop, and then the Millers snapped the ball over their punter’s head to set the Rocks up with a short field. They were unable to capitalize, however, when a tipped pass ended up right back in Miller hands. The Rock D forced a three-and-out to give the offense another crack at it, and this time Mikeah Webster rumbled into the end zone after a short Miller punt. Owen Wright kicked the extra point, and the Rocks were up 7-0 midway through the first. The Rock D then held through four downs on the next Miller drive, taking the ball back and setting things up on the short side of the field. Westfield would settle for a Wright field goal on their next drive, and carried their 10-0 lead into the second quarter. Noblesville responded with a scoring drive, trimming 6 points from the lead. Despite a good kickoff return by the Rocks, they were unable to convert a long field goal on their next drive as time expired in the half. 10-6 Rocks would stand at the break. Westfield received the ball to start the second half, and Carsen Melvin put together several strong QB runs to punch it into the end zone (Wright kick). With the lead extended 17-6, Preston Dirks stepped up on the next defensive stand, stripping the football on fourth down where it fell into the waiting hands of Keegan Krupp. Melvin made the most of the extra possession, finding Gabe Aramboles for his first score of the night (Wright kick). The 24-6 score would ride out the rest of the third quarter, and stick on the scoreboard to start the fourth. Westfield would get a stop and the ball back, but failed to convert a field goal on their next drive. Noblesville chipped away at the lead with a score midway through the fourth quarter, and then turned to an onside kick strategy to try to gain some extra possessions. They were able to recover their first onside kick, and quickly put another score on the board. With a 24-18 lead, Westfield lined up for another onside kick, but this time were able to recover and protect the ball. Melvin found Aramboles again for their second scoring connection of the night, this one for 50 yards (Oliver Church kick). Facing a 31-18 deficit and time running out, the Millers attempted to throw a few more passes. It didn’t quite go to plan, however, when Drew Law picked one of the passes off, and returned it to the house for a defensive score. Church tacked on the extra point, extending the lead to 38-18 with only a minute-and-a-half left to play. With the game all but decided, both teams made some substitutions, and the Millers ran down the clock. Westfield’s 38-18 lead would hold through to the final. Your Rocks will return to action next Friday when they host the Hamilton Southeastern Royals as conference play continues. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm.