Hamilton County Reporter
Hamilton Southeastern came just a few yards shy of stunning one of the best teams in the state Friday night.
The Royals were given a tough assignment for their Hoosier Crossroads Conference opener, taking on Avon at TCU Field. The Orioles are ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A Associated Press poll and No. 2 in the IFCA poll. They played like a top-rated team during the first two and a half quarters of the game, eventually leading 35-6 in the middle of the third quarter.
But Southeastern roared back, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half.
The Royals took the game to the very last play, during which they used a lateral
play to get down the field with no more time left on the clock. But Southeastern
was stopped short of the goal line, allowing Avon to escape with a 35-27 win.
“They’re the No. 1 team in the state for a reason,” said HSE coach Adam Morris. “I just think we gifted them too many things in the first half. You have to give them credit. Obviously, they did a good job. But I also thought we made some mistakes that they were able to capitalize on. Second half, we played a little bit better, especially defensively, and that’s why the game ended the way it did.”
The Royals were held to just two field goals in the first half, both by Alex Geroulis. The sophomore kicked a 23-yarder in the first quarter, then converted a 38-
yard kick in the second period.
Avon led 28-6 at halftime, then added another touchdown early in the third quarter. But the Orioles would not score again after that. Southeastern began its run when Tony Myers caught a 24-yard pass with 14 seconds left in the period, then Geroulis made the kick. That got Southeastern within 35-13 as the quarter ended.
The Royals shaved another seven points off the lead with 8:54 left in the fourth. Hobson found DeAndre Rhodes, who took an 18-yard pass into the end zone. Geroulis kicked the extra point again, making the score 35-20.
Southeastern’s Clayton Toner made a big play late in the quarter, when he intercepted a tipped pass and took it to the Avon 30-yard line. The Royals made the most of the opportunity, getting down to the 4, and Hobson lobbed another touchdown pass to Rhodes; it was Rhodes’ second TD reception of the game and Hobson’s third scoring pass.
Southeastern then got the ball back on downs, and flew down the field before it was finally
stopped short of the goal line.
“I think our quarterback and our entire corps of receivers are a group that is definitely underrated and under-appreciated,” said Morris. “They had a great off-season.
Andrew Hobson as a senior stepped in at quarterback and done a great job. They’re
a really talented group and I would put them up with anybody’s.”
Hobson finished the game by completing 19 of 39 passes for 264 yards.
The Royals are 1-2 overall and will travel to Fishers next Friday for the Mudsock game.
