By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Once again, weather wreaked havoc on the high school sports slate, especially last Friday’s high school football games. Hurricane Helene made its way inward from the southeastern portion of the United States. As it made its way north, high winds and heavy rainfall forced games to be postponed to Saturday when conditions were calm.
Hamilton Heights’ game at Logansport and Sheridan’s home contest with Taylor were the only county schools able to play.
Guerin Catholic was on the south side of Broad Ripple ready to battle with Bishop Chatard, but they couldn’t even kick off when the lights became the issue. This could be known as the “night the lights went out on Kessler.”
Ben Davis (1-5) at Carmel (3-3)
The Giants and Greyhounds will meet up for the 51st time in their history in one of the biggest rivalries in the state Friday at Greyhound Stadium. Including playoffs, the overall series is tied 25-25, Ben Davis won at home in 2023, 45-16. Carmel had won the previous three from 2020-22.
BD lost at home last Saturday to No. 6 Lawrence North, 58-28.
The Greyhounds jumped out 14-0 early at North Central on Saturday and never looked back. Anthony Coellner threw a touchdown pass to Dominic Shockley and ran for another to get out in front quick.
After a Panther score made it 14-7, Shockley ran back the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to push it to 21-7 just before halftime.
Carmel poured it on in the second half. Senior fullback Kahlil Hardister, another by Shockley, along with sophomore Josiah Gilmore and freshman Ayden Johnson adding touchdowns for the final of 48-14.
Twin Lakes (3-3, 0-1) at Hamilton Heights (1-5, 1-1)
The Huskies will be playing yet another first-time opponent for the fourth time in the last five games when they host the Twin Lakes Indians on Friday at Husky Stadium. It will be the Homecoming game for Heights.
The Indians broke out of a two-game losing skid with a home win over Benton Central, 55-0.
Heights made the hour trip to Logansport last Friday. The host Berries got off to a quick start on the Huskies, up 13-0 through one quarter.
Logansport scored twice more for a 27-0 lead. But Hamilton Heights scored before the end of the half. Drew Woodruff threw a 71-yard TD pass to Tyler Champion with 1:47 left in the second for a 27-6 halftime score.
The Berries scored two more touchdowns in the second half and held Heights scoreless in the final two periods for a 41-6 final.
Nathan Flanders had 86 yards on seven carries and Tyler Champion topped in receiving with five catches for 92 yards.
Avon (1-5, 0-4) at 6A No. 3 Westfield (5-1, 3-1)
The Orioles and Shamrocks will meet at Riverview Health Stadium in Westfield for the 25th time. Avon holds a 17-7 mark in previous matchups, but the ‘Rocks have won four in a row.
Avon lost at home to Fishers 27-13 and then-No. 2 Westfield dropped a close one at No. 1 Brownsburg 17-13. The Orioles sit at No. 14 in the USA Today poll.
The Shamrocks scored first. Mikeah Webster ran four yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter. The Bulldogs scored with 9:05 left in the second on a two-yard TD run, then converted the two-point run to jump in front, 8-7.
Owen Wright kicked a 28-yard field goal right before halftime to give the ‘Rocks a 10-8 lead. Wright booted another field goal, this one from 21 yards, in the final seconds of the third quarter for a 13-8 advantage.
On the ensuing kickoff, Brownsburg returned it 54 yards for a touchdown for the last play of the third for a 14-13 slight edge. The Bulldogs scored the only points of the fourth quarter on a field goal, hanging on to win 17-13.
Deacon King ran for 62 yards on 20 carries and Webster 32 on 10. Carsen Melvin threw for 131 yards, going 7 for 15. Beau Braun caught two for 57 yards and Gabe Aramboles also a pair for 53.
6A No. 9 Fishers (4-2, 3-1) at Franklin Central (3-2, 2-2)
The Tigers and Flashes meet up for the seventh time in their young history since Franklin Central joined the HCC. Fishers has a 6-0 record, with a 29-23 home win last season.
Last Saturday, the Flashes got a Homecoming win from Noblesville, 35-28 and the Tigers grabbed a road win at Avon, 27-13.
After a scoreless first, the two combined for three scores in the second for a 14-7 halftime score. Senior QB Caden Hill found Denkota Fletcher for a 36-yard TD pass. Avon tied it 7-7 when quarterback Ray’von Martin rushed in from nine yards out. Then, with 2:41 left in the second, Jase Ruggles caught a two-yard pass from JonAnthony Hall for the one score lead.
Hall then took it upon himself to help Fishers pull away. Hill threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Hall for a 21-7 lead. Hall then ran in another from seven yards that would be well enough for the 27-13 road win.
Hill threw for 194 yards and three TDs, which included 91 yards on seven receptions for Fletcher and Hall caught four for 79.