By Ron Hermann
After Westfield lost to Fishers in three OT’s at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 3 of the regular season, a slogan was created. “Resolve To Return” was put on T-shirts and a banner hung on the fence surrounding the Rocks’ home field. The only way to return to Lucas Oil Stadium would be to play for the 5A state championship. Well, Friday night at Red Stanley Stadium, a determined No. 1 Westfield team earned that return trip by dismantling #8 Concord, 35-3.
Almost literally, the Minutemen seemingly lost the game in the first minute. After receiving the opening kickoff, Concord QB Trevor Wilmore was intercepted on the first play of the game. The Rocks Luke Peters returned the interception to the 31 yard line. A few plays later Elvin Caldwell hit pay dirt for the Rocks, and the rout was on.
Westfield scored touchdowns on each of its four 1st half possessions and its defense smothered the Minutemen, allowing only a 30 yard field goal. The halftime score was 28-3. The Rocks used QB Nick Ferrer’s accurate arm and RB Caldwell’s powerful legs to earn the half-time advantage. Ferrer threw a TD to Nick Henderson and snuck one in on the ground. Caldwell scored twice rushing.
In the second half, Westfield took the kickoff and began another impressive drive. It looked as if the Rocks would make it touchdowns on five straight drives. However, WR Henderson fumbled the ball after a great catch and run to the Concord 6 yard line.
As it would all night long, the Rocks defense stepped up and forced a three and out. Quashing any momentum Concord might have gotten off the turnover. When the Rocks got possession again, they immediately started another productive drive. This one ended in a Caldwell TD run and the Rocks upped the lead to the final score, 35-3. Game over.
For the game, the offense was again tremendous for Westfield. QB Ferrer finished 13 of 16 for 193 yards and a TD in the air. He also rushed for a TD. RB Caldwell led the rushing attack with 19 carries for 145 yards and 3 TD’s and WR Henderson led the receivers with 3 catches for 90 yards and a TD.
The defense was as equally impressive. The Minutemen could do nothing on offense all night long. The Rocks defense line harassed QB Wilmore on seemingly every play. They finished with 4 turnovers , 6.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. LB Matt Crupi led that squad with 9 tackles and 3.5 TFL.
It was perhaps the Rocks most impressive total performance all year. And it couldn’t come at a better time as they move on to the state title game next week against Cathedral. The Rocks have resolved to return and they look forward to the opportunity.
““It’s been something us seniors, our class, the whole team has been working for. It’s been something we’ve been trying to accomplish with this run. We’ve got one more to win and we’ll work hard this week like we do any other week to get that win.” Ferrer said.