By RICHIE HALL
FISHERS – There is always something to be said for a big play in a big football game.
Hamilton Southeastern had plenty of big plays Friday at TCU Field, as the Royals hosted Fishers for the Mudsock game. They added up to a 21-9 victory for Southeastern, which claimed the Mudsock Trophy for the first time since 2018. In addition, the Royals are now 2-0 in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play.
“At the end of the day, it’s us taking that next step in our program, getting better, and setting that tone and our commitment level in terms of how we’re going to prepare and how we’re going to practice,” said HSE coach Michael Kelly.
“It’s awesome,” said Southeastern senior quarterback John McCall. He credited his team with overcoming a shaky start, then “just being able to focus and win this thing.”
McCall’s focus and resolve were the backbone of the Royals’ first touchdown, which came in the first quarter after a long drive that took over seven minutes. On two occasions during that drive, Southeastern faced fourth down. The first time was a fourth-and-1 situation, but McCall punched it two yards for the first down.
The second was a little more precarious: The Royals were a 4th-and-7 on the Fishers 26. But McCall broke out for a 12-yard run. A few plays later, Southeastern was facing 3rd-and-11 at the 15. No problem: McCall powered his way into the end zone.
“The first drive just set it off,” said McCall. “We just got to keep capitalizing when the defense gets stops or we have good field advantage. We can’t keep going third and out. We just got to keep it moving so the defense can get some rest.”
The Tigers got on the board early in the second quarter. Carson Dunn made a 51-yard run to get the ball to the HSE 10, then moved it down to the 1. Lucas Prewitt did the honors, getting the ball into the end zone. Christian Wayne made the extra-point kick.
Fishers’ defense stepped up next. After holding the Royals to a three-and-out, the Tigers blocked the punt and it led to a safety. Fishers now held a 9-7 lead and would keep it until the third quarter.
Southeastern got the lead back early in the third with a remarkable play from Blaine Wertz. With the Royals at the Tigers’ 29-yard line, Wertz got the ball and found himself surrounded by Fishers defenders. But he broke free and powered into the end zone. HSE now led 14-9.
The Royals got their final touchdown of the game late in the third quarter. After six straight running plays to get Southeastern from its own 13 to the Fishers 38, McCall teamed up with Martice Taylor for a pass play. Taylor took the ball and turned it into a 38-yard touchdown. Alex Geroulis made the extra-point kick, as he did for the Royals’ other two scores.
“It’s no secret we rely heavily on our run game to help us create some offensive opportunities in the passing game,” said Kelly. “I thought our guys competed and played hard. It says a lot about just where we’re at right now and the type of mentality we want to play with.”
Southeastern’s defense stepped up in the fourth quarter. Noah Wolf made an interception early in the period. Then with the Tigers rushing towards the end zone in what looked to be a certain score, the Royals’ Mikah Phillips punched the ball out. Southeastern’s Giovanni Ragland recovered the fumble, and the Royals were able to hold on from there.
“I think Coach (Steven) Stanley, our entire defensive staff has done a remarkable job,” said Kelly. “They put in a great defensive game plan. Week in and week out, I think our defense is setting the tone in playing fast, physical football and flying around and making plays.”
Nate Haas had a hand in 13 tackles for the Royals, six solo and seven assists. Ragland and Cole Earlewine both had six tackles, five solo and one assist.
Wertz totaled 144 yards rushing, while McCall had 117 yards on the ground. McCall went 6-for-11, totaling 68 yards through the air. Taylor made four of those catches.
Dunn was the leading rusher for Fishers, with 114 yards. Quarterback Lucas Prewitt completed 8 of 12 passes for 96 yards, with Landon Morris making four receptions.
Seth Dunnuck made 16 total tackles (10 solo, six assists), while Billy Reiter had 13 stops (seven solo, six assists).
“I’m proud of our kids,” said Tigers coach Curt Funk. “We fought the whole time. It’s a good game, we lost to a good opponent in Hamilton Southeastern.”
The Royals are 3-1 overall and play at Westfield next Friday. Fishers fell to 1-1 in HCC play and 1-3 overall; the Tigers host Brownsburg next Friday.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 21, FISHERS 9
Score by Quarters
Fishers 0 9 0 0 – 9
Southeastern 7 0 14 0 – 21
Team Stats FISH HSE
First Downs 12 22
By Rush 5 18
By Pass 6 3
By Penalty 1 1
Rushes-Yards 28-190 56-305
Yards Passing 96 68
Comp-Att-Int-TD 8-12-1-0 6-11-0-1
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties-Yards 5-39 7-46
Punts-Average 4-33.8 3-39.0
Scoring
First Quarter
HSE, 4:42 – John McCall 15-yard run (Alex Geroulis kick)
Second Quarter
FISH, 11:52 – Lucas Prewitt 2-yard run (Christian Wayne kick)
FISH, 10:18 – Safety
Third Quarter
HSE, 7:50 – Blaine Wertz 29-yard run (Geroulis kick)
HSE, 0:51 – Martice Taylor 38-yard pass from McCall (Geroulis kick)
Fishers individual stats
Rushing: Carson Dunn 7-114, Dominic Oliverio 10-40, Prewitt 6-22, Shaun Kim 4-7, team 1-0.
Passing: Prewitt 8-12-96.
Receiving: Landon Morris 4-65, Aiden Zimmer 1-14, Silas Martin 1-8, Caleb Gates 1-8, Kim 1-1.
Southeastern individual stats
Rushing: Wertz 20-144, McCall 21-117, Alexander 13-44, Taylor 2-0.
Passing: McCall 6-11-68.
Receiving: Taylor 4-58, Wertz 1-10, Aiden Wilkinson 1-0.
Hamilton Southeastern quarterback John McCall rushed for a first-quarter touchdown and passed for another score in the third quarter. (Joshua Herd)