Fishers found itself trailing in the fourth quarter at Avon Friday night, but the Tigers’ JonAnthony Hall was there to save the day.
The Orioles had just scored a touchdown to lead 17-14 with 10:29 to go in the game. On the kickoff, Hall caught the ball at the Fishers 10-yard line, and ran…all the way to the end zone. It was a 90-yard kickoff return, and it clinched the Hoosier Crossroads Conference victory for the Tigers, by the score of 21-17.
“JonAnthony Hall made a great return, followed his blocks and broke free for the touchdown to give us what ended up being the game-winning touchdown,” said Fishers coach Curt Funk.
The Tigers held a 14-0 lead at halftime, scoring both of their touchdowns in the second quarter. Lucas Minns threw for both of those scores, the first to Hunter Strole on a five-yard toss, and the second to Joey McDermott on a 14-yard pass.
Avon responded with a field goal and a touchdown in the third quarter to get within 14-10, then Jaiden Jones rushed in from 38 yards with 10:29 left in the fourth to give his team the lead, right before Hall ran in the game-winner.
“We told our kids all week that they’re better than their record shows,” said Funk. Avon was 0-5 coming into the game. “All of their losses were to quality opponents. We knew they were going to give us a big test.”
Funk also credited the defense with holding its own during the game’s final 10 minutes.
“Overall they did a good job of coverage and flying to the football,” said Funk. “Our defense made the stops they needed to. There in the fourth quarter, they came up with two good stops and hats off to them for just never giving up and playing hard.”
Minns went 12-of-18, totaling 127 yards. Carson Dunn led the rushing with 81 yards. Grady Stanley had six tackles.
Fishers is 2-2 in HCC play and 4-2 overall, and plays at Franklin Central next Friday.
FISHERS 21, AVON 17
Score by Quarters
Fishers 0 14 0 7 – 21
Avon 0 0 10 7 – 17
Team Stats FISH AVON
First Downs 15 19
By Rush 9 11
By Pass 6 7
By Penalty 0 1
Rushes-Yards 39-163 28-299
Yards Passing 127 134
Comp-Att-Int-TD 12-18-1-2 15-33-2-0
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 4-50 8-61
Punts-Average 3-37.3 5-42.5
Fishers Scoring
Second Quarter
7:06 – Hunter Strole 5-yard pass from Lucas Minns (Tate Talbot kick)
2:38 – Joey McDermott 14-yard pass from Minns (Jacob Pearlman kick)
Fourth Quarter
10:16 – JonAnthony Hall 90-yard kickoff return (Pearlman kick)
Fishers individual stats
Rushing: Carson Dunn 18-81, Khobie Martn 15-69, Ian Jennings 1-8, Minns 3-15, team 2-0.
Passing: Minns 12-18-127.
Receiving: Strole 3-58, Dunn 3-19, Joe Syrus 2-17, Aidan Zimmer 2-12, McDermott 1-14, Ian Jennings 1-7.