Hamilton Southeastern gave it a run at Hoosier Crossroads Conference rival Avon’s field on Friday, but two late scores clinched the game for the Class 6A No. 2 Orioles, who defeated the Royals 29-6.
Southeastern scored the first points of the game, with Matt Harris making a 36-yard run on a fourth-and-1 play with 4:24 left in the first quarter. Avon responded right away, though, as Ohio State recruit Sampson James caught an 86 yard touchdown pass to put the Orioles on the board, then they led 7-6.
Avon made a field goal to go ahead 10-6, then James caught a 13-yard pass with less than a minute to go in the half, putting the Orioles up 16-6 at halftime. Southeastern held Avon scoreless in the third quarter, but the Orioles added two touchdowns in the fourth.
The loss drops Southeastern to 1-2 for the season, while Avon remains undefeated at 3-0. This was the first HCC game for both teams.
The Royals are back home next Friday for another big game, the biggest of all: The Mudsock game. Southeastern hosts Fishers, which is also 1-2 for the season after dropping its HCC opener to Noblesville Friday night.
Stats from the game were unavailable at press time and will run in a later edition.
