Hamilton Southeastern bounced back from last week’s tough loss with a decisive Hoosier Crossroads Conference win on the road Friday.
The Class 6A No. 7 Royals ran away from 5A No. 6 Zionsville in the second half, and the end result was a 41-21 victory. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime, but Southeastern outscored the Eagles 27-7 in the second half.
“I thought we came out and controlled the game on the offensive side, and coming up with four big takeaways was very important,” said HSE coach Michael Kelly.
Zionsville scored first with a one-yard run early in the first quarter. The Royals answered quickly, with Sam Jacobs throwing a 21-yard touchdown pass to Ian Bucher to get on the board.
Both teams scored again late in the second period. Blaine Wertz took the ball in from the two-yard line to get Southeastern ahead 14-7. But a long touchdown pass during the last minute of the half brought the Eagles back to tie it up, 14-14 at the break.
In the second half, the Royals reeled off 21 straight points to lead 35-14 by the fourth quarter. Jacobs connected with Jack Wafford on a 24-yard pass play score, then Jacobs streaked 91 yards for another touchdown. Owen Jones also came up with two big runs in the fourth quarter, scoring from 39 yards with 8:47 left. Zionsville scored on a short pass a couple minutes later, but Jones’ 47-yard touchdown run clinched the game.
“I think our kids responded well in the second half,” said Kelly.
Three Southeastern players topped 100 yards rushing: Jacobs totaled 194, Jones had 149 and Wertz rushed for 120 yards. Wafford made five catches. The Royals had 621 all-purpose yards.
Southeastern is 3-1 in conference play and 5-1 overall. The Royals return home next Friday to host Noblesville.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 41, ZIONSVILLE 21
Score by Quarters
Southeastern 7 7 14 13 – 41
Zionsville 7 7 0 7 – 21
Team Stats HSE ZV
First Downs 19 19
By Rush 15 5
By Pass 4 11
By Penalty 0 3
Rushes-Yards 55-463 30-85
Yards Passing 66 243
Comp-Att-Int-TD 6-12-0-2 19-27-4-2
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 8-93 3-15
Punts-Average 1-38.0 1-49.0
Southeastern Scoring
First Quarter
4:51 – Ian Bucher 21-yard pass from Sam Jacobs (Alex Geroulis kick)
Second Quarter
2:28 – Blaine Wertz 2-yard run (Geroulis kick)
Third Quarter
7:51 – Jack Wafford 24-yard pass from Jacobs (Geroulis kick)
4:34 – Jacobs 91-yard run (Geroulis kick)
Fourth Quarter
8:47 – Owen Jones 39-yard run (Geroulis kick)
2:13 – Jones 47-yard run (kick failed)
Southeastern individual stats
Rushing: Jacobs 15-194, Jones 13-149, Wertz 26-120, Louden Sundling 1-0.
Passing: Jacobs 6-12-66.
Receiving: Wafford 5-45, Bucher 1-21.