Game of the Week: Westfield v. Fishers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following a thrilling victory over Carmel, Westfield rolls into the regional finals with momentum.&nbsp; The 23-20 overtime win over the Greyhounds has proved the Shamrocks can win in hard-fought, gritty contests.&nbsp; The fact that the Shamrocks limited Carmel to just 23 points – the lowest point total of the year – is a testament to how good the Shamrocks defense is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westfield has been knocking on the door for several now, losing state last season, losing in semi-state two years ago to Crown Point, and coming up short at Lucas Oil in back-to-back seasons in 2020-2021.&nbsp; Is this the year they finally get it done?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing in their way is Fishers, who topped Hamilton Southeastern for the second-straight year in postseason action.&nbsp; In addition to key players such as Cooper Melvin (Westfield), Darian Girton (Fishers) and Vincent Rozzi (Fishers), here are four must-watch players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["391041"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69149cd23299e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='391041' first='Ryan' last='Thembulembu'] has had a sensational senior season.  The 5-foot-9, 185-pound tailback is a strong between-the-tackles runner who wastes no time getting upfield and breaking away if he finds a crease.  Thembulembu is a very under-the-radar recruit, and with his speed and burst, has huge upside. Thembulembu will be a constant threat to the Shamrocks' defense, as will [player_tooltip player_id='1672081' first='Gage' last='Sturgill'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768394"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69149cd232a48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='768394' first='Atticus' last='Finley'] led the Tigers in tackles last week, recording 8 solos and 4 assists.  Finley, a Class of 2027 prospect, is a very good safety with great closing speed.  He has a nose for the ball, forcing fumbles and flying all over the field with his outstanding range.  A key playmaker on defense who must be accounted for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1862106"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69149cd232ac7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1862106' first='Olumide' last='Fapetu'], a Class of 2027 prospect, led the team in tackles last week on defense, recording 12 total.  Fapetu is a great edge setter: he can lock out, press and shed opposing offensive tackles and does a great job of forcing running backs into moments of indecision.  He can wrap up in space and or free other defenders to clean up the play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Caiden Snow","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"205","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2407","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Westfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69149cd232be1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Caiden Snow led the Shamrocks in receiving last week against Carmel.  The 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect displays soft hands in a crowd.  He is a tough and rugged run blocker, flashes good burst off the line of scrimmage and runs through contact effectively.  Snow is a key name to know for the Class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->