Here’s an interesting statistic: Hamilton Heights has a perfect record this year over 4-0 teams.
The Huskies got their second straight win over an unbeaten opponent Friday, traveling to Twin Lakes and coming home with a 35-14 victory. This is the third win in a row for Heights.
This one wasn’t as dramatic as the Huskies’ victory over Western last week. But it was another “big program win,” said Heights coach Jon Kirschner.
“Twin Lakes always plays us tough,” said Kirschner. “It’s a good school, it’s always tough to drive up there. They’re well-coached. They’re a good football team. Credit to our kids, they rose to the challenge this Friday.”
Heights scored first, getting into the end zone just two minutes into the game. Guy Griffey sent a 27-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Tuma, and Michael Lecher made the extra point kick.
The Indians tied the game late in the first quarter, on a 40-yard pass play. But that would be it for a while. The Huskies would score 21 straight points, thanks to three rushing touchdowns from Nate Hulen.
Hulen had one touchdown in each of the next three quarters. He ran in from six yards midway through the second period, then took a seven-yard jog into the end zone early in the third. Just nine seconds into the fourth quarter, Hulen ran 33 yards for another TD.
Twin Lakes used another pass play to score with 4:13 left in the fourth quarter, but Heights halted any comeback ideas minutes later when Griffey made a three-yard touchdown run.
Lecher made all five extra-point kicks for the Huskies.
“That was a big deal,” said Kirschner.
The coach also credited his offensive line for playing well, saying “they played their butts off.” The Huskies totaled 384 yards of offense for the game, 309 of which were rushing.
“The kids, they believe in what they’re doing,” said Kirschner. “They’re really starting to take that success. The energy and the fire that they play with, we got it going.”
Hulen finished the game with 160 yards, while Troy Ehman had 142 yards on the ground. Griffey went 5-of-10 passing; Tuma had three catches and Devonte Henson the other two.
“Isaac Tuma and Devonte Henson both had some big-time catches,” said Kirschner.
The Huskies are 3-3 and will return to Hoosier Conference East Division play next week, hosting old rival Tipton.
HAMILTON HEIGHTS 35, TWIN LAKES 14
Score by Quarters
Heights 7 7 7 14 – 35
Twin Lakes 7 0 0 7 – 14
Team Stats HH TL
First Downs 13 5
By Rush 10 4
By Pass 3 1
By Penalty 0 0
Rushes-Yards 49-309 19-19
Yards Passing 75 187
Comp-Att-Int-TD 5-10-1-1 15-26-3-2
Fumbles-Lost 3-2 1-0
Penalties-Yards 7-83 4-35
Punts-Average 1-43.0 2-42.5
Heights Scoring
First Quarter
10:02 – Isaac Tuma 27-yard pass from Guy Griffey (Michael Lecher kick)
Second Quarter
5:29 – Nate Hulen 6-yard run (Lecher kick)
Third Quarter
8:58 – Hulen 7-yard run (Lecher kick)
Fourth Quarter
11:51 – Hulen 33-yard run (Lecher kick)
2:31 – Griffey 3-yard run (Lecher kick)
Heights individual stats
Rushing: Hulen 19-160, Troy Ehman 24-142, Griffey 6-7.
Passing: Griffey 5-10-75.
Receiving: Tuma 3-39, Devonte Henson 2-36.