Southeastern shuts out Shamrocks, gets first championship in 17 years
By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – Hamilton Southeastern sprinted to its first regional championship in 17 years on Friday.
Playing dominant football on both sides, the Class 6A No. 1 Royals beat No. 9 Westfield 20-0 to claim the Regional 2 trophy at TCU Field. It was the first regional title for Southeastern since 2005 and its fifth in program history, and kept the Royals unbeaten for the season at 12-0.
“They played inspired football,” said HSE coach Michael Kelly. “They flew around. Our defense was phenomenal. Offensive line helped control the line of scrimmage. Our running backs ran really hard.”
The game got off to a slow start, with the defenses controlling the field during the first quarter. The Royals forced Westfield to punt on its first series, then the Shamrocks got a turnover on downs to stop Southeastern’s first run. Westfield took its second drive into Royals territory, but that ended when HSE’s Mason Alexander intercepted a pass near the end zone.
Hamilton Southeastern’s Mason Alexander (15) made a big interception for the Royals in the first quarter. (Joshua Herd)
“Honestly, I’ll have to give it to Coach Kelly,” said Alexander. “He gives us inspirational speeches telling us we can do anything we can, as long as we put our minds to it.”
Alexander also said that the Royals are told not to be scared of any other team.
“Everybody gets nervous before a game, but breathe in and out twice,” said Alexander. “As soon as that ball’s kicked off, it all goes away.”
Southeastern got its first scoring drive together in the second quarter, a nearly five and a half minute march down to the Shamrocks’ nine-yard line. While Southeastern had to settle for a field goal – a 26-yard kick from Carter Gutt – it got the Royals on the board. They led 3-0 at halftime.
It seemed like a big play was imminent, and it came from Jalen Alexander. The junior running back had been steadily gaining yards during the first half, but he finally let loose for a 73-yard touchdown run in only the third play of the second half. A Gutt kick give the Royals a 10-0 lead.
“It wasn’t just me,” said Jalen Alexander. “It was all my guys up front.”
Alexander gave credit to several linemen: Styles Prescod, Teddy Johnson, Alex Boothby, Kyle Young (“He’s really stepped up, I’m super proud of him,” said Alexander), Colin Krekler and Jack Osiecki at the tight end spot.
“They’re all just good dudes, man,” said Jalen Alexander. “Since week one, they’ve improved so much. I’m happy with where we are. We’re only getting better every week.”
The Royals’ offense seemed to get better as this game went on as well. Gutt kicked another field goal late in the third quarter, this one from 30 yards to get Southeastern up 13-0.
In the fourth quarter, the Royals used another long drive to score one more touchdown. Jalen Alexander struck again, running in from seven yards. Alexander finished the game with 248 yards rushing.
Southeastern held Westfield to 107 yards of total offense. The Shamrocks played as well as they could, but were frustrated the entire game by the Royals’ defense. Kendall Garnett led the rushing with 52 yards, while quarterback Cole Ballard went 6-of-13 for 49 yards.
Westfield quarterback Cole Ballard (1) hands off to Kendall Garnett (8). (Joshua Herd)
“I’m still proud of them,” said Westfield coach Jake Gilbert. The Shamrocks finished the season 8-4, improving greatly from the midpoint of the season when they were 3-3.
“We just got to work,” said Gilbert. “We had a great last six weeks. Tremendous practices. We had won five in a row, we won a sectional.”
The Royals will play for the 6A north semi-state next Friday at Fort Wayne Carroll.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 20, WESTFIELD 0
Score by Quarters
Westfield 0 0 0 0 – 0
Southeastern 0 3 10 7 – 20
Team Stats WF HSE
First Downs 8 18
By Rush 5 16
By Pass 3 2
By Penalty 0 0
Rushes-Yards 26-58 53-354
Yards Passing 49 36
Comp-Att-Int-TD 6-13-0-1 4-8-0-0
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 0-0
Penalties-Yards 2-15 3-25
Punts-Average 4-41.3 3-25.0
Scoring
Second Quarter
HSE, 4:06 – Carter Gutt 26-yard field goal
Third Quarter
HSE, 10:32 – Jalen Alexander 73-yard run (Gutt kick)
HSE, 3:07 – Gutt 30-yard field goal
Fourth Quarter
HSE, 3:08 – Alexander 7-yard run (Gutt kick)
Westfield individual stats
Rushing: Kendall Garnett 19-52, Cole Ballard 7-6.
Passing: Ballard 6-13-49.
Receiving: Gabe Aramboles 4-27, Max Nosler 1-16, Andrew Lieske 1-6.
Southeastern individual stats
Rushing: Alexander 30-248, Azariah Wallace 13-55, Clayton Wilke 7-33, Sam Forrest 1-12, Ty Bradle 2-6.
Passing: Bradle 4-8-36.
Receiving: Clayton Wilke 2-15, Jack Osiecki 1-14, Donovan Hamilton 1-7.