Last Friday, your Rocks hosted the Crown Point Bulldogs in a rematch of the 2023 semi-state contest. Crown Point entered the game with an unbeaten 12-0 record, tearing their way through the north with blowout victories. Westfield had been on their own tear since suffering their lone loss to Brownsburg back in week six, entering at 11-1 and hunting vengeance. The Rocks started with the ball for this one, putting together a solid drive that advanced all the way to the Bulldog 20 yard line, but a fumbled exchange put the ball in Bulldog hands early on. The Rock D stepped up four plays later to take it back when Cato June intercepted a pass and returned it to the 6 yard line. Carsen Melvin cashed in, and the Rocks took a 7-0 lead (Owen Wright kick). Crown Point responded with a long pass on a Shamrock bust to tie things up at 7. The teams would start the second quarter knotted, with the Rocks also executing the first punt of the night. The Rock D forced a quick three-and-out from the Bulldogs, but the subsequent Shamrock possession resulted in a missed field goal. Westfield’s defense held the line, though, forcing another stop and punt from the Bulldogs. This time, Melvin found Beau Braun for 66 yards and the score (Wright kick). With momentum starting to swing, the Rocks dug in on defense and came up with another stop after back to back sacks from Alex Aramboles. With a short field in front of them after the punt, the Shamrock offense put another score on the board. This time, it was Deacon King breaking free for a long run (Wright kick). With time winding down in the half, Westfield utilized a pair of timeouts on defense, and came up with the stop, getting the ball back with 1:22 on the clock. They methodically advanced the ball, and then took their final timeout with two seconds left in the half to set up for a long field goal try. Wright would drill the career-best 44 yarder, extending the lead to 24-7 at the break. Westfield started the second half on defense, forcing a quick three-and-out. An excellent Bulldog punt pinned the offense on the 1 yard line, but the Rocks were able to dig out and push across midfield, eating a whole bunch of clock in the process. On an aggressive fourth down try, the Rocks came up just short, but once more the Rock D dug in and stymied the Bulldogs, taking it back through their own four down stand. Westfield with the ball and on the move, the third quarter ran down and it was still 24-7 headed to the fourth. The Shamrock offense pushed deep enough into Bulldog territory to set Wright up for his second field goal of the night, extending the lead. The Rock D got another stop, and the offense went right back to work eating clock and yards, setting the table for Wrights third field goal of the night. With just around four minutes to play, the Rocks had a comfortable 30-7 lead, vengeance and a trip to the state finals well within their grasp. June would notch his second interception of the night on the next Bulldog possession, and the takeaway allowed the Rocks to kneel things out and punch their ticket. 30-7 stood as the final. Next Friday, your Rocks will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium for the 6A State Final. They will represent the north half of the state, while fellow Hoosier Crossroads Conference member Brownsburg will represent the south, setting up a week 6 rematch on the biggest stage in the state. Kickoff is scheduled for 7PM on Friday, November 29th.