It was a fourth quarter played to perfection for Fishers in its Homecoming game against Avon Friday.
The Tigers trailed 28-20 against the Class 6A No. 7 Orioles, but scored two touchdowns in the final five-and-a-half minutes to stun Avon 35-28 at Reynolds Tigers Stadium. While it was a great win because it was Homecoming, it also upset the Hoosier Crossroads Conference standings.
With its victory, Fishers is now on top of the HCC with a 3-1 record. The Tigers now have two league games remaining: The first is on Oct. 6 at Westfield, followed by the regular-season finale against Zionsville on Oct. 13 at home.
But first, the Avon game. The Orioles were driving with 7:03 left in the fourth quarter, but then fumbled the ball. Seth Sontich recovered it at the Avon 36, giving the Tigers excellent field position.
Fishers took advantage of the opportunity, with Jon Vore tossing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Dunnuck. Avon leads 28-26. Then, the Tigers went for two, and Dunnuck grabbed a conversion pass from Vore.
Tie game, 28-all.
Minutes later, Fishers had the ball back. Daniel Amadi forced an Avon fumble, and Sontich recovered it, again giving the Tigers the ball. Vore quickly got the ball down to the 30 with medium-range passes, and then tossed a 30-yarder to Collin Statz for the go-ahead touchdown.
Ben Norton’s kick made the score 35-28. The Orioles had one last chance, but Fishers held on for the win.
Avon led 22-20 at halftime after a wild last minute of the first half. HL Lewis got the Tigers ahead 20-15 by punching the ball in from the one-yard line with 47 seconds left.
But the Orioles answered right away, as their superstar Isaac Guerendo zoomed in to the end zone from 80 yards just 14 seconds later. Avon kicked two field goals in the second half, one in each quarter, and that kept Fishers close enough to make its comeback.
Lewis scored Fishers’ first touchdown of the game on a two-yard run late in the first period. Matt Wolff then teamed with Will Syrus for a 75-yard pass play score early in the second quarter. Wolff and Vore were collectively 16-of-23 passing the ball, totaling 255 yards. Vore completed nine of 13 passes and Wolff was 7-of-10.
Wolff also was Fishers’ leading rusher with 68 yards, while Lewis rang up 64 yards on the ground. Syrus had seven catches, totaling 127 yards. Emmanuel Davis led the Tigers’ defense with nine catches.
Fishers will take a break from HCC play next week, but it will still be a big game. The Tigers will host Roncalli, last year’s Class 4A state champions. The Rebels are playing in 5A this year and are ranked No. 1 with a 6-0 record.
Fishers quarterback Jon Vore (center) makes a pass to Will Syrus during the Tigers’ game with Avon Friday at Reynolds Tigers Stadium. Fishers scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to upset the No. 7 Orioles 35-28. (Kirk Green)
Daniel Amadi (48) forces a fumble that would set up Fishers’ second fourth-quarter touchdown and secure the victory over Avon. For additional homecoming images go to: https://capturephotographybydkirk.smugmug.com/FHS/ (Kirk Green)