Western Boone Jr. - Sr. High School

Western Boone football evened its record at 2-2, and improved to 2-0 in the Monon Athletic Conference, with a 49-28 win over Greencastle on Friday night. And while there were plenty of highlights for the Stars, head coach Justin Pelley said the key is now adding even more of them - with more consistency. "Their quarterback is really good, and they do some things that puts our defense in a bad spot," Pelley said. "Yes, we won the game, but we have so many things to work on, which is a good thing when you win and still have room to improve. It's more of an effort deal. We half our kids putting it all out there, and so many guys doing a lot of things right now." Pelley said the big thing the Stars need is the elevation of their depth. Several of the Stars are playing both ways at the moment, something they want to avoid if possible as the season goes on. But they need people to step up in those spots, and while there have been some to do it, they need more. "We have to find more guys to step up and take some of those spots," Pelley said. "If not we're just going to keep playing with the same guys and they are going to wear down. It all starts with the scout team, and you do well there and move on to special teams and so on. It's all about effort and the kids having confidence to take the opportunities they're given. We've had some kids do that, and we are waiting for others too. We need that help and we have to go back to seeing what our kids can do and simplifying it for them a little bit and hoping they can make plays when we put them in the right spot." Western Boone jumped out to a 27-6 lead in the first half, getting rushing touchdowns from Carson Nicley, Quinn Westerfeld and Jack Mallory, along with a touchdown pass from Westerfeld to Beau Sawyer. Westerfeld connected with Sawyer and Nate Thompson in the third quarter for two more scores, putting the Stars up 42-13 after three and cruised from there. Nicley (four carries, 34 yards) added a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Westerfeld was 6 of 8 passing for 114 yards and three scores. Sawyer caught four passes for 48 yards and two scores, with Thompson catching two for 59 and a score. Jack Mallory ran for 172 yards and 22 carries. He added the touchdown. "It was nice to see us move the ball offensively," Pelley said. "Mallory had 170 yards rushing, our quarterbacks were 7 of 9 for 112 yards and three scores and both ran well. All that is really good, but we have to be better at stopping people and making plays. We are still a little hesitant." Mallory now has back-to-back 100-yard games and is averaging 6.4 yards a carry this season. Pelley said he has done a fantastic job all season, and makes plays where the Stars need him. "I think it's been great," Pelley said. "We go as our line goes, then behind them it's Jack. He still fills in there at linebacker and we put him in against passing teams and he is really good at that too. We are just trying to keep him healthy. It's a long season and we are asking a lot of him." Western Boone is back home for just the second time this season when they host North Montgomery next week. The Chargers are 1-3 on the season after Friday night's loss to Cascade. "I'm excited to be back home," Pelley said. "Hopefully we have a good showing against North Montgomery. We will go back, watch the film, see what we need to get better at and go back at it on Monday." Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on X @Will_Willems.