Hamilton Southeastern got a comeback win for its opening game, as the Royals rallied from a halftime deficit to beat Lawrence Central 12-7 Friday at the Bears’ field.
Lawrence Central led 7-0 at halftime. Southeastern quickly tied the game less than two minutes into the third quarter, starting when Donovan Hamilton caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Ty Bradle. Carter Gutt made the extra-point kick to tie the game.
Royals coach Michael Kelly called Hamilton’s catch the “game-changer.”
“Sometimes you just got to get it to your guy, get him in a position to make the play to win the game,” said Kelly.
Gutt provided the go-ahead points for the Royals, kicking a 31-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Southeastern then added two more points late in the period when the defense made a safety.
“Defense played well for us up front,” said Kelly. “I thought we tackled really well tonight.”
Bradle had a good night, completing 16 of 25 attempts for 147 yards. Jalen Alexander was the leading rusher with 56 yards.
The Royals host North Central next Friday.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 12, LAWRENCE CENTRAL 7
Score by Quarters
Southeastern 0 0 10 2 – 12
Lawrence Central 0 7 0 0 – 7
Team Stats HSE LC
First Downs 15 9
By Rush 10 5
By Pass 5 4
By Penalty 0 0
Rushes-Yards 34-102 23-71
Yards Passing 147 107
Comp-Att-Int-TD 16-25-0-1 7-20-2-0
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 3-33 6-47
Punts-Average 3-25.3 3-40.3
Scoring
Third Quarter
10:08 – Donovan Hamilton 56-yard pass from Ty Bradle (Carter Gutt kick)
Fourth Quarter
6:25 – Gutt 31-yard field goal
1:21 – Safety
Southeastern individual stats
Rushing: Jalen Alexander 17-56, Eli Brantman 4-16, Clayton Wilke 2-11, John McCoy 2-10, Brennan Baker 3-9, Bradle 3-0, team 3-0.
Passing: Bradle 16-25-147.
Receiving: Hamilton 6-87, Wilke 5-32, Brantman 2-18, Chidubem Okonkwo 1-5, McCoy 1-3, Baker 1-2.