Strong start sends HSE past Avon

Hamilton Southeastern's Blaine Wertz (right) runs the ball while lineman Pierce Masheck makes a block during the Royals' 40-13 win over Avon Friday night. (Kirk Green)

Hamilton Southeastern got off to an outstanding start in Hoosier Crossroads Conference play on Friday, taking care of Avon 40-13 at TCU Field.
The Royals left no doubt in this game, scoring 20 points in each of the first two quarters to hold a 40-0 halftime lead. The first quarter belonged to Southeastern’s ground game, as it scored three rushing touchdowns. Blaine Wertz made a pair of medium-sized runs, with Owen Jones getting a six-yard score in between.
In the second quarter, Wertz picked up his third touchdown of the game with 5:30 left on a nine-yard run. The Royals then recovered a fumble during the kickoff return, and that led immediately to a touchdown, as Ty Bradle found Jack Wafford for a 25-yard score.
Southeastern got one more touchdown late in the period, as Sam Jacobs and Dylan Conner combined for a 78-yard pass play score. Alex Geroulis made four extra-point kicks.
Royals coach Michael Kelly said his team “played really well,” especially in the first half. He said the defense “played exceptionally well,” noting that it was able to stop a team that had put 35 points up against Ben Davis the previous week.
Wertz rushed for 92 yards in addition to the three touchdowns, while Jacobs totaled 90 yards passing and 56 yards rushing.
The Royals are 3-0 and travel to Fishers next Friday for the Mudsock game.

HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 40, AVON 13

Score by Quarters
Avon 0 0 7 6 – 13
Southeastern 20 20 0 0 – 40

Team Stats AVON HSE
First Downs 16 16
By Rush 8 11
By Pass 7 4
By Penalty 1 1
Rushes-Yards 32-107 28-223
Yards Passing 179 140
Comp-Att-Int-TD 14-24-1-1 4-8-0-2
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
Penalties-Yards 8-60 8-50
Punts-Average 3-31.7 2-30.5

Southeastern Scoring
First Quarter
9:44 – Blaine Wertz 15-yard run (Alex Geroulis kick)
7:20 – Owen Jones 6-yard run (kick failed)
3:17 – Wertz 10-yard run (Geroulis kick)
Second Quarter
5:30 – Wertz 9-yard run (Geroulis kick)
5:22 – Jack Wafford 25-yard pass from Ty Bradle (pass failed)
2:14 – Dylan Conner 78-yard pass from Sam Jacobs (Geroulis kick)

Southeastern individual stats
Rushing: Wertz 12-92, Jacobs 5-56, Jones 5-52, Kobe Dade 3-20, Jalen Alexander 3-3.
Passing: Jacobs 2-5-90, Bradle 2-3-50.
Receiving: Wafford 2-37, Conner 1-78, Will Gerig 1-25.