Noblesville dropped its Hoosier Crossroads Conference and regular-season finale to Avon, 35-14 Friday at Beaver Materials Field.
The Orioles scored in the first quarter on a short passing touchdown, but the Millers were able to hold them scoreless in the second period, staying within 7-0 at halftime. But two big touchdown passes by Henry Hesson gave Avon a 21-0 lead midway through the third.
Noblesville coach Dave Sharpe credited the Orioles’ receivers with being “so fast and so skilled. A couple of times they caught the ball and made a tiny little move and they were gone,” he said.
The Millers got on the board in the third quarter when their quarterback, Conner Meinerding, ran the ball in from 15 yards. But the Orioles halted any comeback hopes with two more touchdowns in the fourth period, an 86-yard pass play and a long interception return.
“I thought we played very well offensively,” said Sharpe. “Very similar to the Brownsburg game and the HSE game. We drive the ball down the field, but we can’t find a way to get seven out of it. We’re getting better. You can see it week in and week out.”
Noblesville got the final touchdown of the game, as Holden Montarsi punched the ball in from the one-yard line. Grayden Addison made both extra-point kicks.
Owen Jones led the Millers’ rushing with 93 yards.
Noblesville finished HCC play 1-6 and is 2-7 overall. The Millers are off next week, then host Westfield on Oct. 30 in the semi-finals of Class 6A Sectional 4.
AVON 35, NOBLESVILLE 14
Score by Quarters
Avon 7 0 14 14 – 35
Noblesville 0 0 7 7 – 14
Team Stats AVON NOB
First Downs 16 19
By Rush 1 14
By Pass 14 3
By Penalty 1 2
Rushes-Yards 15-40 57-250
Yards Passing 371 59
Comp-Att-Int-TD 17-18-0-4 3-7-2-0
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-42 6-46
Punts-Average 1-20.0 3-50.0
Noblesville Scoring
Third Quarter
2:45 – Connor Meinerding 15-yard run (Grayden Addison kick)
Fourth Quarter
4:16 – Holden Montarsi 1-yard run (Addison kick)
Noblesville individual stats
Rushing: Owen Jones 9-93, Trey Speek 11-47, Montarsi 15-37, Meinerding 12-36, Zach Blevins 3-7, team 2-4.
Passing: Meinerding 3-7-59.
Receiving: Dylan Ray 1-27, Jones 1-25, Blevins 1-7.