Last Friday, your Rocks traveled to Fort Wayne to face the Carroll Chargers with the semi-state title up for grabs. They didn’t give up the ship and earned a return trip to state with a 35-14 victory. The Rocks started on D for this one, and Carroll came out of the gates hot, scoring on their first drive. The Rocks were able to burst through the middle and block the extra point, so only 6 got put on the board. Westfield’s offense was unable to answer right away, and punted it back, but Reid Dikos intercepted a tipped Charger pass for the first Shamrock takeaway of the night. Aiden Grabowski and Westfield’s offense took advantage of the short field and punched it in to even the score. Diego Herrera’s extra point split the uprights to give the Rocks a one point lead, ending the first quarter of play. Carroll kept with its hot start and scored again on their first drive of the second quarter. They drew up a nifty trick play to convert for two points, taking a 14-7 lead. Westfield didn’t answer right away, punting, but the Rock D came up big again when Dikos punched the ball out and Olumide Fapetu helped secure the fumble for a second takeaway. Westfield’s offense then put together a clock-eating drive that pounded the rock downfield and ended with Deacon King’s first touchdown of the night. Herrera converted the kick with 17 seconds left in the half, and the game went into the break all tied at 14. Westfield got the ball to start the second half, and marched down the field again for King’s second rushing touchdown of the night. Herrera capped the kick and the Rocks went up 7. Logan Loring then got in on the takeaway party for the Rocks D when he intercepted a Charger pass on their first drive of the half. The Rocks were unable to do much with the extra possession, punting it away, but Westfield’s halftime adjustments came home on the next drive when a pair of big sacks from Isaac Weingart and Alex Aramboles shut down a potential Carroll answer. Westfield would have the ball back after a punt, and a 21-14 lead as the game rumbled into the fourth quarter. The Shamrock offense extended the lead with another steady drive and King’s third touchdown of the night (Herrera kick). Facing a two-score deficit, the explosive Charger offense looked to try to trim things through the air, but Loring picked them off again. It was the fourth Shamrock takeaway of the game, and Westfield got the opportunity to salt things away. They marched down the field, once again devouring clock, and King produced his fourth score of the night, rumbling in and putting this one firmly out of reach. Herrera’s kick flipped the score to 35-14, and with 3:32 to play, the celebrations could begin. The Chargers connected on a couple passes on their next drive, but ultimately the Rock D held through four downs, and Westfield took back over to kneel things out. 35-14 Rocks lit up the night as the final horn sounded. Next Saturday, your Rocks have earned the right to represent the North in the 6A State Final. This sets up a rematch with the Brownsburg Bulldogs, who took the South. Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled for 7PM.