by

Richie Hall

Hamilton County Reporter

Friday’s Class 6A Sectional 5 semi-final football game between Fishers and Hamilton
Southeastern was throwback football at its best: A good, old-fashioned roll in the
Mud…sock.

There was also much at stake, with a trip There was also much at stake, with a trip
to the sectional championship game on the line. In the end, the Tigers prevailed over
the host Royals 9-6 and will host Pike next Friday for the Sectional 5 title.
to the sectional championship game on the line. In the end, the Tigers prevailed over
the host Royals 9-6 and will host Pike next Friday for the Sectional 5 title.

Unlike games in their recent past, this was a defensive showdown between the
Mudsock rivals. The game was played in chilly and gloomy conditions, which added
to the grittiness factor.

“Their team played well,” said Fishers coach Rick Wimmer. “Our defense really
played well tonight. I don’t think we gave up a big play all night, except for a little bit
right there at the end of the first half when they got their drive going. We did a really
good job against the run, got some pressure on the quarterback at times.”

The Tigers got on the board first, with Ben Norton kicking a 24-yard field goal late
in the first quarter. Southeastern had to wait almost a full period to respond, but did so
with a step-by-step drive that finally got it in the end zone.

Jackson Sweeney punched the ball in from the one-yard line with 3:30 left in the
second quarter. Fishers blocked the extra point attempt, but the Royals still had the
lead at halftime, 6-3.

The Tigers re-took the lead early in the third quarter. HL Lewis ran the ball into the
end zone from six yards, getting his team ahead 9-6. Fishers tried to go for two, but a
conversion pass fell incomplete.

After that, the defenses took over. Most of the drives for both teams ended in punts,
but a big defensive stop came with 5:56 left, when the Tigers halted HSE’s drive on
fourth-and-1.

That gave Fishers the ball back with around 4:30 left. The Tigers converted a
fourth-and-2 to keep their drive going, then Lewis’ nine-yard run on third-and-9 with
under a minute left finally clinched the game for Fishers.

Both teams’ leading rushers worked hard to get their yards, with Lewis and Sweeney
carrying the ball 22 times. Lewis finished with 81 yards, while Sweeney collected 49
yards. Lewis also had two catches for the game, the most of any Fishers player. Matt
Wolff finished the game 6-of-16, collecting 75 yards.

Southeastern quarterback Kody Sparks had a solid game, going 13-for-20 on 116
yards. Ben Boysen and Jackson Lantz each made four catches.

The Tigers are now 6-4 for the year, while the Royals finished their season at 3-7.