CARMEL, Ind.— Carmel and Westfield will meet Friday night in a Class 6A sectional matchup, renewing a postseason rivalry that has seen the Shamrocks win three straight meetings.
Greg Rakestraw of ISC Sports Network joined WISH-TV to break down the matchup, which is a rematch of the teams’ Week 2 game. Westfield won that meeting 38-34, then beat Carmel in overtime in last year’s sectional.
“This is the fourth time in the last five years they have played each other in the postseason,” Rakestraw said. “Westfield has won all three of them.”
Carmel’s offense has been productive throughout the season, but its defense remains a concern. The Greyhounds rushed for 355 yards in a recent 38-35 win, showing their offensive potential while highlighting the importance of getting stops in a close game.
“Offensively, it has not been a question for Carmel all year,” Rakestraw said. “Defense has been the issue.”
Rakestraw said the week off gave Carmel an opportunity to work on its defensive issues before facing a Westfield team with plenty of offensive firepower.
Westfield’s offense is led by junior quarterback Cooper Melvin, who has thrown 15 touchdown passes and three interceptions this season after sharing quarterback duties last year.
The Shamrocks also feature sophomore tight end Caden Snow, one of the country’s top tight end prospects. Snow played significant minutes as a freshman and has emerged as a key receiving option this season. His father is former Indianapolis Colts player Justin Snow.
“He is one of the better receivers slash tight ends in the state this season and just a sophomore,” Rakestraw said.
Westfield graduated several key defensive players from last year’s state runner-up team, which reached the state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium for the second consecutive season. The Shamrocks’ losses this season include a matchup against Brownsburg, the two-time defending state champion.
Friday’s game offers another chapter in a rivalry that has produced close regular-season and postseason contests.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. The game will air on MyINDY-TV 23.
