The REPORTER
In a rematch of last year’s Class 6A north semi-state, Hamilton Southeastern turned the tables on Fort Wayne Carroll.
The 6A No. 4 Royals put together a good first half, and that led Southeastern to a 28-14 opening-night victory over the 6A No. 5 Chargers at HSE’s Everwise Field. This makes the eighth year in a row that the Royals have won their first game of the season.
This game was a reversal of the semi-state result, where Carroll edged out Southeastern 21-15. Royals coach Michael Kelly said the end of last season resonated with the team.
“They were up to that challenge and obviously met that challenge,” said Kelly. “I thought it was really good. Defensively, we played really hard, hit really hard. I think both sides of the ball played really hard.”
Southeastern scored one touchdown in all four quarters. Donovan Hamilton caught a short pass from quarterback Chandler Weston towards the end of the first period. Early in the second quarter, Mason Alexander caught an interception that turned into a 50-yard touchdown return, and a 14-0 HSE lead.
Alexander made another pick six in the third period, this one late in the quarter and a 67-yard return for a score. Early in the fourth period, Jalen Alexander made a tremendous run, 84 yards to complete the Royals’ scoring. Hugo Belmonte made all four extra-point kicks.
“Our backs had a really good game,” said Kelly, including Jack Osiecki, Judah Parker and Jack Seyferth. The coach said the secondary played pretty well, with Jaren Bush, Mason Wright and Mason Alexander all stepping up.
“It’s always good to have Donovan Hamilton on your team, so it was nice for us,” said Kelly. “He makes a lot of plays. Jalen Alexander can always turn something bad into something good for us. (Left tackle) Styles Prescod is a really good player for us and wore out a lot of guys on their D-line. Kam Anthony had a good game as well. Quarterback Chandler Weston also made some really smart decisions that made sure the ball stayed in our hands.”
Alexander finished with 138 yards rushing, while Hamilton had five receptions. Weston was very efficient, completing 10 of 12 pass attempts.
The Royals play next Friday at North Central.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 28, FORT WAYNE CARROLL 14
Score by Quarters
Carroll 0 0 7 7 – 14
Southeastern 7 7 7 7 – 28
Team Stats FWC HSE
First Downs 21 13
Rushes-Yards 31-54 32-213
Yards Passing 267 82
Comp-Att-Int-TD 22-40-2-0 10-13-0-1
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 6-49 7-80
Punts-Average 6-33.0 4-38.0
Southeastern Scoring
First Quarter
0:30 – Donovan Hamilton 8-yard reception from Chandler Weston (Hugo Belmonte kick)
Second Quarter
9:21 – Mason Alexander 50-yard interception return (Belmonte kick)
Third Quarter
1:23 – Alexander 67-yard interception return (Belmonte kick)
Fourth Quarter
9:43 – Jalen Alexander 84-yard run (Belmonte kick)
Southeastern individual stats
Rushing: Alexander 12-138, Azariah Wallace 11-54, Silas Newton 1-8, Brennan Baker 5-6, Weston 1-5, Anthony Harris 2-2.
Passing: Weston 10-12-82, Jaydee Christopherson 0-1-0.
Receiving: Hamilton 5-41, Alexander 1-17, Kameron Anthony 1-16, Liam Boyd 1-5, Callen Okerson 1-4, Jewel Jagoe 1-minus 1.