Fishers wins shootout over Southeastern for first sectional title in seven years

By CRAIG ADKINS

For The Reporter

FISHERS – A game of this magnitude has a lot on the line. Bragging rights with neighbors, friends and family are at stake. When Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern get together, it’s assumed that it will be a battle of epic proportions.

Friday night’s Class 6A Sectional 4 championship game would be no different. It was a game of momentum shifts and it all came down to who had the ball last and what they did with it. The Tigers had the ball last and drove all the way down the field, scoring with 0.7 seconds left to win, 44-41. The victory gave Fishers its first sectional title since 2017 and fourth overall.

In that final drive, the Tigers had great time management and took it all the way down to the final seconds. They went 80 yards in 11 plays and used every bit of the final two minutes on the clock. Hill threw three consecutive incompletions, bringing up fourth down and goal from the Royals’ four.

On fourth down, Caden Hill found Jase Ruggles for the game-winning four-yard touchdown pass. Jon Tangara added the extra point for the final count of 44-41.

“Players made the plays and our players did what it took on that final drive,” said Fishers coach Curt Funk.

The Tigers used eight plays and 66 yards and struck first on a JonAnthony Hall rushing TD for a 7-0 lead on the first possession.

HSE responded with a methodical drive, marching 80 yards in 13 plays. AZ Wallace ran in from four yards for the 7-7 tie.

Fishers came right back to grab the lead on a Ryan Thembulembu run. Tyler Maynard ran in the two-point conversion and it was 15-7.

Southeastern grabbed some momentum with two straight touchdowns. Chandler Weston hooked up with Liam Boyd for a 42-yard touchdown pass and AZ Wallace ran in his second score, this time from 22 yards out for a 20-15 lead for the Royals.

Hill connected with Hall with 1:34 left in the second. Thembulembu ran in the two-point try for a 23-20 slight edge.

But that would be too much time on the clock for HSE. Weston found Boyd once again, a 20-yarder with 36 seconds left that gave the Royals a 27-23 halftime advantage.

“Playing a rival like HSE, we know each other well. We scout each other well and knew there would be adversity to overcome. There were lots of ups and downs and our kids responded,” said Funk.

The third quarter had just one score, a four-yard run from Thembulembu that pushed it to 30-27. It was a crucial score and made a difference in the end.

“Ryan ran hard all night. I’m proud of our line up front for creating opportunities for him,” said Funk.

Hill guided Fishers to its largest lead at 37-27 on a 73-yard pass and catch to Hall.

The Royals crawled right back into the game. AZ Wallace made his presence known, scoring with 7:25 left and again with 2:03 remaining in the fourth for a 41-37 HSE lead.

Just like in the first half, there was too much time left. This time, Fishers had the ball.

Funk and his staff had quite the message prior to the final drive.

“Every week, we do two-minute drills in practice. It’s been the same scenario since Aug. 5,” said Funk.

“In practice, we told them that there’s going to be a game we’re going to have to use this. We’re built for this,” said Funk.

The two teams combined for 929 yards of total offense. HSE had 508 and Fishers 422. There were 130 offensive plays and 50 combined first downs.

“If you’re a fan of football, it was one of the best games I’ve coached,” said Funk. “We both dialed things in at the right times.”

AZ Wallace led the Royals with 165 yards on 35 carries and four TDs in his final game. Chandler Weston went 13 of 21 for 251 yards and two TDs. Both of those scores were to Liam Boyd, who caught eight for 171. Callen Okerson also hauled in four for 82.

Hamilton Southeastern finishes its season at 7-4.

The Tigers were led by Thembulembu’s 150 on the ground in 23 rushes and two scores. Caden Hill had a solid night in the pocket. Hill was 15 out of 23 for 238 yards and three TD passes. Stanford commit Hall showed his worth, catching 11 of Hill’s throws for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

Fishers (7-4) is riding a three-game winning streak and hosts No. 2 Westfield (10-1) for the regional on Friday.

This will be the third consecutive Hoosier Crossroads Conference opponent in the playoffs for the Tigers.

“I have so much respect for our conference. Top to bottom, we have the best conference in the state. We’re going to enjoy this one tonight, but we’re looking forward to getting to work for next week,” said Funk.