Southeastern prevails over Fishers, takes first sectional title in 11 years
By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – Slow and steady wins the race.
Or, in Hamilton Southeastern’s case, fast and steady wins the sectional championship.
The Class 6A No. 1-ranked Royals played a game that was steady, yet took full advantage of their sensational runners. When the dust settled, Southeastern had won its first sectional title in 11 years, triumphing over host Fishers 35-13 in the Sectional 3 championship on Friday.
“The goal is to always be a champion,” said Royals coach Michael Kelly. Southeastern started its championship run in Week 9 by winning the Hoosier Crossroads Conference trophy, then added the sectional title with two big wins, keeping HSE unbeaten for the season at 11-0.
Hamilton Southeastern senior captains Clayton Wilke, Ty Bradle, Griffen Haas and Christion Miller show off the Royals’ Sectional 3 championship trophy. Southeastern beat Fishers 35-13 on Friday to win its first sectional title since 2011. (Richie Hall)
After a pair of scoreless drives to begin the game, the Royals struck first midway through the first quarter. Jalen Alexander set up Southeastern’s first score by making a 63-yard run to get to the Tigers’ three-yard line. Azariah Wallace then pushed the ball in, scoring from four yards.
The Royals’ second touchdown came at the beginning of the second quarter. Donovan Hamilton tossed a pass to Jack Osiecki, who took it 50 yards for the score. Carter Gutt made both extra-point kicks, and Southeastern led 14-0.
Fishers got on the board in the next drive with a perfect hook and ladder play. Lucas Minns passed the ball to Aidan Zimmer, who flipped it to Khobie Martin, who ran in 15 yards to score.
Fishers quarterback Lucas Minns threw for both of the Tigers’
touchdowns. (Kirk Green)
The margin stayed at 14-6 until late in the second quarter when Alexander took off again. This time, it was a 53-yard rush into the end zone. Gutt kicked the extra point, and that made the score 21-6 at halftime.
“He ran really hard,” said Kelly, who called Alexander’s game one of his best nights. “He gave great effort and was able to get off and break some tackles, which was huge,” said the coach, who also credited assistant coach Harvey Allen with “coaching him up and getting him ready to play.”
“AZ Wallace, same thing,” said Kelly. “He had some big tough runs in there as well.”
The Tigers didn’t go away, of course. Fishers got back into the game when Minns tossed a 17-yard pass to JonAnthony Hall, who made an amazing catch in the end zone for a touchdown. Jon Tangara hit the extra-point kick, and the Tigers were within 21-13.
But Alexander stopped any Fishers comeback right away. On the first play of the Royals’ next drive, the junior zoomed 69 yards to score his second touchdown of the game. Gutt made the kick, and Southeastern went into the fourth quarter up 28-13.
The Royals stayed in control in that final period, scoring after a six-minute drive when Griffen Haas took the ball in from two yards. Gutt’s kick made him 5-for-5 on extra points.
The Royals’ Jack Osiecki scored on a 50-yard
touchdown pass to begin the second quarter. (Kirk Green)
Alexander finished the game with 267 yards rushing. Wallace gained 70 yards.
Minns finished the game 12-of-24, totaling 147 yards. Hall had the most receptions with four.
The Tigers finished their season 7-4, the first time since 2019 that they reached the seven-win mark.
“Every win is hard to come by,” said Fishers coach Curt Funk. “This team fought for every one and improved each week to get it.”
Southeastern will host Westfield next Friday for the Regional 2 championship.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 35, FISHERS 13
Score by Quarters
Southeastern 7 14 7 7 – 35
Fishers 0 6 7 0 – 13
Team Stats HSE FISH
First Downs 18 10
By Rush 13 2
By Pass 4 8
By Penalty 1 0
Rushes-Yards 50-339 25-66
Yards Passing 103 147
Comp-Att-Int-TD 5-16-2-1 12-24-0-2
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 7-62 5-40
Punts-Average 3-45.7 8-39.0
Scoring
First Quarter
HSE, 6:29 – Azariah Wallace 3-yard run (Carter Gutt kick)
Second Quarter
HSE, 11:50 – Jack Osiecki 50-yard pass from Donovan Hamilton (Gutt kick)
F, 8:54 – Khobie Martin 15-yard pass lateraled from Aidan Zimmer from Lucas Minns (kick blocked)
HSE, 1:24 – Jalen Alexander 46-yard run (Gutt kick)
Third Quarter
F, 2:36 – JonAnthony Hall 17-yard pass from Minns (Jon Tangara kick)
HSE, 2:18 – Alexander 69-yard run (Gutt kick)
Fourth Quarter
HSE, 2:12 – Griffen Haas 2-yard run (Gutt kick)
Southeastern individual stats
Rushing: Alexander 24-267, Azariah Wallace 19-70, Silas Newton 1-3, Haas 1-2, Ty Bradle 2-1, Clayton Wilke 1-minus 4, team 2-0.
Passing: Bradle 4-14-53, Hamilton 1-1-50.
Receiving: Wilke 2-32, Osiecki 1-50, Hamlton 1-21, John McCoy 1-0.
Fishers individual stats
Rushing: Martin 11-44, Bennett Gorak 2-17, Carson Dunn 4-10, Ian Jennings 2-2, Minns 6-minus 5.
Passing: Minns 12-24-147.
Receiving: Hall 4-71, Zimmer 4-31, Joe Syrus 2-15, Hunter Strole 1-10, Noah McPeek 1-5, Martin 0-15. (NOTE: Martin receives credit for yards from a lateral.)