Westfield strikes early, pulls away from Avon for 49-16 victory
Clevenger rushes for three touchdowns; Conner scores twice in third-quarter surge
Staff Report
Westfield turned an opening-possession turnover into a touchdown, added a punt-return score and built a three-touchdown first-quarter lead on its way to a 49-16 victory over Avon in an Indiana high school football Hoosier Crossroads Connference matchup.
Elliott Clevenger rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns, while Baylor Conner scored on a reception and a fumble return during a third-quarter stretch that put the game out of reach.
The Rocks seized control almost immediately. Henry Everts recovered a fumble on Avon’s first offensive play, giving Westfield possession at the Orioles’ 31-yard line. Five plays later, Cooper Melvin connected with Caiden Snow for a 5-yard touchdown pass.
Westfield’s defense forced a punt on Avon’s next possession, and Maddox Novotney returned it for a touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0.
The Rocks then showed they could score the long way, too. Pinned at their own 4 following an Avon punt, they drove 96 yards for another touchdown. Clevenger supplied a 14-yard run on third down and converted a fourth-and-short near the goal line before scoring from 4 yards out for a 21-0 advantage.
Avon answered with an 80-yard touchdown drive that carried into the second quarter. Declan Hines found Ryan Ballou for 25 yards to help set up Colin Stewart’s 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down, trimming the deficit to 21-7.
Westfield needed only three plays to respond. After runs by Clevenger and Evan Crow moved the ball to the Rocks’ 42, Clevenger broke free for a 58-yard touchdown and a 28-7 lead.
Timothy Paciorek’s 48-yard field goal brought Avon within 28-10. Alonzo Smith then intercepted a Melvin pass, giving the Orioles an opportunity to cut further into the deficit before halftime.
Westfield’s defense stopped that possession, however, and Clevenger added a 1-yard touchdown run in the closing seconds of the half. The Rocks entered the break ahead 35-10.
Conner delivered the decisive blows after halftime. He caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Melvin on Westfield’s opening third-quarter possession, stretching the lead to 42-10. On Avon’s ensuing series, Conner recovered a fumble and returned it 49 yards for another touchdown.
Avon completed the scoring in the fourth quarter when Hines connected with Ballou for a 59-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt was blocked.
Melvin finished 10 of 17 for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Conner caught three passes for 58 yards, while Clevenger averaged eight yards on 17 carries.
Hines completed 12 of 20 passes for 171 yards. Ballou had two receptions for 84 yards, and Brennyn Penrod caught six passes for 63 yards.
Avon held a 328-311 advantage in total offense, but Westfield’s two return touchdowns and early control of the game proved decisive.
