Pike gets last word over Fishers

The REPORTER

A comeback by Fishers fell just short last Saturday, as the Tigers fell to Pike 35-34 in a home game.

The game began last Friday, but was postponed to the next day because of storms. The Red Devils got a jump on Fishers during Friday’s first quarter, scoring two touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead.

The Tigers scored the first touchdown of Saturday, with Gage Sturgill making a five-yard run to get Fishers on the board. But Pike scored with four seconds left in the first half on a short pass, and the Red Devils led 21-7 at halftime.

Both teams added a touchdown in the third quarter. Sturgill connected with Thembulembu for a 16-yard TD and the Tigers were within 21-14. Pike answered with a 58-yard run from Chase Shurn with 25 seconds left, giving the Red Devils a 28-14 lead going into the fourth.

Fishers began a furious comeback in that period, with 20 unanswered points. Sturgill led the way, with touchdown throws to Thembulembu of 13 and 34 yards. The Tigers had closed the gap to 28-26, and they went ahead with 1:44 left on a 16-yard quarterback keeper score from Sturgill. Thembulembu made a two-point run, and Fishers led 34-28.

But Pike would have the last word. Dohnavin Ward sent a 27-yard touchdown throw to Latrell Morton to tie the game with 27 seconds left. Logan Young’s extra-point kick clinched the win for the Red Devils.

Sturgill had a solid game, completing 23 of 38 passes for 265 yards. JonAnthony Hall led the receiving, making 15 catches for 181 yards. Thembulembu totaled three TDs out of four catches.

Fishers is 1-1 and hosts Noblesville Friday to start Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.