Westfield Meets Carmel Again as Sectional Play Opens Friday

Carmel and Westfield meet at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 6A sectional game, the fourth time in five years the programs have faced each other in the postseason. Westfield has taken all three of those previous meetings, including a 38-34 win over the Greyhounds in Week 2 this season and an overtime victory in last year's sectional.

Greg Rakestraw of ISC Sports Network, speaking with WISH-TV, said Carmel's offense has produced points all season but its defense has been the recurring problem. "Offensively, it has not been a question for Carmel all year," Rakestraw said. "Defense has been the issue." The Greyhounds ran for 355 yards in a recent 38-35 win, a performance that showed both their ground game and the narrow margins their defense has allowed.

Rakestraw said the week off gave Carmel time to work on those defensive issues before facing a Westfield offense led by junior quarterback Cooper Melvin. Melvin has thrown 15 touchdown passes against three interceptions this season after sharing the position last year. The Shamrocks also line up sophomore tight end Caden Snow, who Rakestraw called one of the better receivers or tight ends in the state. Snow's father is former Indianapolis Colts player Justin Snow.

Westfield's defense has turned over since last season's state runner-up squad, which played in the title game at Lucas Oil Stadium for a second straight year. Several key defenders graduated, and losses this season include a game against Brownsburg, the two-time defending state champion.

The game airs on MyINDY-TV 23 from Carmel.