The REPORTER
Noblesville got a tremendous Homecoming victory on Friday, as the Millers took care of Zionsville 24-7 in a Hoosier Crossroads Conference game at Beaver Materials Field.
Most of the points were scored in the first quarter, which ended with Noblesville leading 17-6. Gage Gulley and Gabe Bellan both got into the end zone on short runs to give the Millers a 14-0 lead. After absorbing an Eagles touchdown, Jack Letourneau got Noblesville three more points with a 20-yard field goal.
Bellan added a third-quarter touchdown on a one-yard run. Letourneau kicked the extra point, as he had already done with the first two touchdowns.
“Our offensive line did a great job, and of course our backs did a great job,” said Millers coach Dave Sharpe. “All three of them were called upon numerous times and they all moved the sticks.”
Logan Shoffner led the rushing with 99 yards, followed by Gulley with 91 yards and Bellan with 66 yards. Quarterback Jacob Baker was 4-for-5 totaling 83 yards, and also rushed for 38 yards.
“Jacob Baker had a couple big runs for us,” said Sharpe.
Noblesville High School’s 50-year football team was honored during Friday night’s game. (Kathy Williams)
Noblesville’s defense also played solid. Austin Hastings and Carson Cox both had four solo tackles, with Hastings making four assists and Cox getting two. Corbin Hornickel had six assists in addition to two tackles for a loss. Grayson Owens and Jackson McDaniel both had five assists, while Jrue Kanté and Aiden Brewer both had three assists.
“Our defense played lights out,” said Sharpe. “Huge shoutout to Cam Wilson. He had the tough assignment of sticking with Eugene Hilton for most of the night and he did a great job. That’s a three-year starter stepping up and making big plays for us.”
Overall, Sharpe called it a “great team win” on Homecoming night, noting that the stadium was packed an hour before kickoff.
“We had a wonderful parade, as always,” said Sharpe. “I can’t imagine a high school football team in the nation that has better support than we do.”
The Millers are 1-2 in conference play and 3-2 overall and play next Friday at Franklin Central.
The bell was rededicated as the “Dick Dellinger Victory Bell,” named after longtime Noblesville High School teacher and former State Representative Dick Dellinger, who passed away on Sept. 6. (Kathy Williams)
NOBLESVILLE 24, ZIONSVILLE 6
Score by Quarters
Zionsville 7 0 0 0 – 7
Noblesville 17 0 7 0 – 24
Team stats ZV NOB
First Downs 12 19
Rushes-Yards 30-87 49-328
Passing Yards 87 83
Comp-Att-Int-TD 7-13-0-0 4-5-0-0
Penalties-Yards 7-60 3-23
Punts-Average 1-41.0 4-46.0
Scoring
First Quarter
Gage Gulley 1-yard run (Jack Letourneau kick)
Gabe Bellan 3-yard run (Letourneau kick)
Letourneau 20-yard field goal
Third Quarter
Bellan 1-yard run (Letourneau kick)
Noblesville individual stats
Rushing: Shoffner 13-99, Gulley 12-91, Bellan 14-66, Jacob Baker 4-38, Bryce Englert 3-35, Weaver 1-1, Gump 1-0, team 1-minus 2
Passing: Baker 4-5-83.
Receiving: n/a