Hamilton County Reporter
After some tough games in the first half of the season, the Hamilton Southeastern football team was overdue for a big win.
The Royals got that win Friday, in their Homecoming game at TCU Field. Southeastern shrugged off a 10-0 first quarter deficit to take over in the remaining three periods, ultimately stunning previously unbeaten Westfield 34-10.
Southeastern thus picked up its first Hoosier Crossroads Conference win of the season and is now 2-3 overall.
“We’ve endured some real tough games,” said Royals coach Adam Morris. “Losing with the field goal in overtime to North Central, the Avon game, coming back and coming up just short. We’ve had an emotional roller coaster this year, so I’m just happy for our kids to have
some success, because I feel like they’ve earned it and haven’t really gotten it.”
The Class 6A No. 8 Shamrocks seemed to have control of the game after the first quarter. Eli Patchett scored the first points for Westfield on a six-yard rushing touchdown. Eduardo Beltran kicked the extra point, and seconds later kicked a 30-yard field goal to give the
‘Rocks the 10-point lead.
Southeastern began its run early in the second period, when Chris Stein pounded
the ball in from the two-yard line. Alex Geroulis made the extra-point kick, the
first of four he would successfully convert on the night.
The score held at 10-7 through halftime, but the Royals took control in the third quarter. Blaine Wertz made a fouryard scoring run midway through the period, Geroulis booted in a 29-yard field goal, then Wertz broke away for a 43-yard touchdown sprint with under two
minutes in the quarter.
And HSE wasn’t done yet: In the fourth quarter, Geroulis nailed a 25-yard field goal, and Michael Cherry put the finishing touch on the victory by picking off a Westfield pass and returning it 45 yards for a touchdown.
Wertz had a big game for the Royals, with 225 yards on 32 carries. Quarterback
Andrew Hobson was efficient by making 10 of 15 passes for 154 yards. DeAndre
Rhodes led the receiving with five catches for 88 yards.
Stein had eight tackles for Southeastern, with Louden Sundling making six stops. Clayton Toner had five tackles.
Simons had a solid game for Westfield, completing 16 of 27 passes for 192 yards. Mason Piening had seven receptions totaling 123 yards. Bryson Hoover had a huge defensive game with 13 tackles. Mark McLaurin, David Frey and Owen Ogle each made seven tackles.
The Royals will travel to Zionsville next Friday, while the Shamrocks return home to Riverview Health Stadium to host Brownsburg.