Coming into the game, Fishers had won two games in a row against Avon and Franklin Central while Westfield was coming off a victory over Avon after getting stomped the previous week by Brownsburg.
A Westfield defense that gave up 28 points a game would have their hands full against a Fishers offense that boasted a top three rusher, receiver and passer in terms of yards. Although senior gunslinger Bennett Gorak would be sidelined due to injury, Indiana University commit Khobie Martin and top 2025 recruit Jon Anthony Hall would be active and contained by the scrappy Shamrock defense.
As Westfield kicked off the game, sophomore fill-in quarterback Gage Sturgill would find senior tight end Joel Gates for his first career completion. However, led by Mikeah Webster and Sam Bola, the Shamrocks would stuff Martin in the backfield on third down and force an opening drive punt.
Right out the gates, Westfield quarterback Jackson Gilbert would find Gabriel Arambles for a monster pass-and-catch to give them a 7-0 lead early. After getting a field goal blocked, Westfield would hold strong and get the ball back as Gilbert would take a quarterback carry all the way inside the five yard line.
As the second quarter started, the Rocks were stonewalled a couple times before giving it to their big linebacker, Mikeah Webster as he would plow into the endzone for his fourth score of the season. Fishers would get the ball back and Khobie Martin would get straight to work, putting together back-to-back big runs to get his team to the redzone.
A close call during a diving effort in the endzone by Jon Anthony Hall was ruled incomplete. After getting the ball back,the Tigers would get some questionable calls in their favor as Hall would draw a pass interference on fourth down. A couple plays later and Martin would stroll into the endzone to cut the deficit in half going into halftime.
The third quarter was a scoreless, defensive showdown between both teams. Westfield would start with a three-and-out, Fishers would punt, Westfield would punt, Fishers would throw an interception and finally a blocked punt by Fishers to take control of the ball at the 32 yard line. As Fishers began to drive late in the third quarter, Khobie Martin would exit the game and not return due to injury. Ending the night with 27 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown.
As Fishers drove down to the 13 yard line, Coleton Vondersaar would absolutely blow up the screen attempt to Hall, forcing a fourth and long which would wind up being a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass. Right as they got the ball back, Jackson Gilbert would find Max Nosler on a shallow crossing route as he took 70 yards all the way to the house to put the Rocks up 21-7.
With time dwindling, sophomore fill-in running back Ryan Thembulembu would be an effective tool for the Tigers as he managed to get 75 yards in a quarter of work. Driving down the field, Sturgill would find Millen McCartney in the endzone to make it a 21-14 game with just 4:40 left. However, Jackson Gilbert would put an end to the comeback bid as he would find Beau Braun for the 31 yard gain on third and long to put the game away. For good measure, running back Kendall Garnett would top his 80 yard outing with the touchdown to put Westfield up 28-14 and to win the game.
As Westfield got their seventh win of the season tonight, they showed they will find a way to win if you let them. Tonight for example, Gilbert had three completions that went for 173 yards and two touchdowns while his other four completions went for 27 yards. Not to discredit Gilbert in the slightest, but if you give a team like Westfield the opportunity to make a play, they are not known to mess up.
Through eight games this year, Westfield is 4-0 in one possession games and has found a way to win, despite close scores at halftime in their wins against Avon and now Fishers. This Westfield team simply knows how to win and should be in your radar for title contenders right next to Ben Davis, Center Grove and Brownsburg at the 6A level.
Looking forward, Westfield will face Franklin Central, who lost to HSE tonight, in what should be their 8th win of the season. Fishers takes on Zionsville, who lost to Avon tonight, in what should also be a win if fully healthy, but if Gorak and Martin were to sit out that game, things do not look too great.
Game Awards
Impact Play of The Game: Jackson Gilbert 31 yard pass to Beau Braun- Third and nine, just over four minutes left, outside of field goal range, holding onto a one score lead. You cannot come up with a more impactful scenario for a quarterback to be in. If this pass is incomplete, there is a chance I am writing about the heroic game-winning drive by a sophomore back up quarterback. Just a great pass by Gilbert and a great effort by Braun to get open after the play got extended.
Unit of The Game: Fishers Special Teams- although the offense could not capitalize on either, it does not take away from the fact that Fishers had a blocked field goal and a blocked punt tonight. Blocking a kick in any shape is a difficult thing to do without committing a foul, props to this unit for giving their offense a fighting chance throughout the game.
Player of The Game: Jackson Gilbert- 7-13, 200 yards, two touchdowns and a contributing factor in the run game. Gilbert played a great game and gave his team all the spark they needed to get the win tonight. The senior quarterback is now up to 1500 yards and 14 passing touchdowns on the season.
“Once we scored [the first touchdown] our sidelines were as hype as ever,” Gilbert said. “We played terrible three weeks ago [against Brownsburg], but then the last two weeks we have looked great and we are really excited about how we are going to look next week and spring into a deep playoff run.”