It was “big play day” for the Noblesville football team Friday evening at Mount Vernon.
The Millers got their running game going after a rough start, then barreled through the Marauders before eventually winning 57-36. It was the first time Noblesville had won a season-opening game since 2015, and it was also the most points for the Millers in a game since 2009, when they beat Lafayette Jefferson 58-30 in a sectional game.
“It was good to get a win,” said Noblesville coach Dave Sharpe. “The kids worked really hard this off-season. They deserve a lot of success and I’m just happy.”
Mount Vernon, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, came blasting out of the gate to lead 15-0 within the first minute. The Millers righted themselves quickly, and got on the board with 8:16 left in the first quarter when Logan Shoffner scored up the middle.
After absorbing another Marauders touchdown, the Millers scored back-to-back TDs to finish the quarter. Brayan Gomez-Sanchez ran 72 yards to the end zone for another touchdown. Later, Connor Meinerding made a jump pass to Andrew Page, and now Noblesville was within 22-20 at the end of the quarter.
That previous touchdown was the start of 29 unanswered points for the Millers. They took the lead with 7:19 left in the first half when Shoffner streaked 88 yards to the end zone. Jack Letourneau ended the half by kicking a field goal, and Noblesville led 30-22 at the break.
“We persevered, and I knew we would because it’s a special group of seniors that have fought a long way and they deserve this victory,” said Sharpe.
The Millers quickly scored touchdowns in the early part of the third quarter. On the opening drive, Alaric Rogers-Walton cruised 16 yards for a TD, then later, Shoffner struck again with a 60-yard run to the end zone.
With 1:56 left in the third, Shoffner got one more score, racing in from 71 yards. Rogers-Walton finished up the Noblesville scoring with a 26-yard run.
Sharpe credited his offensive line for guiding the way for the Millers: Page, Aaron Williams, Nathaniel Hamm, Jake Long, Jacob Etchison, Gage Wrin, Ben Decker, Blake Cole and Ransom McDermott.
The Millers finished the game with 547 yards of rushing; with Logan Shoffner gaining 324 yards in just 17 carries. Gomez-Sanchez collected 111 yards on the ground, while Rogers-Walton had 77 yards.
The Millers will play their home opener next Friday against Terre Haute South.