Hamilton Southeastern extended its football season Friday night, Oct. 30, defeating crosstown rival Fishers 23-14 in the opening round of the Class 6A state tournament.

The victory at HSE sends the Royals into the Sectional 3 championship with a 5-5 record. Fishers finishes its season 0-10.

HSE is set to travel to Carmel on Friday, Nov. 6, following the Greyhounds’ reported victory over Westfield in the sectional’s other semifinal. The Indiana Football Digest’s pregame tournament preview specified that Carmel would host either Fishers or HSE with a victory. The IHSAA calendar places the Class 6A sectional championships on Nov. 6.

Friday’s result gives Southeastern a sweep of this season’s two meetings with Fishers. The Royals also won the regular-season Mudsock game 49-35 on Sept. 11, at the same venue.

The postseason rematch produced considerably fewer points: 37 combined, compared with 84 in September.

In that first meeting, special teams helped Southeastern establish control. The Royals blocked Fishers’ first two punts, turning one into a short-field touchdown opportunity and returning the other for a score. HSE built a 21-0 lead and held off the Tigers’ attempts to rally.

Friday’s victory also brings Southeastern back to .500 after an uneven regular season. The Royals entered the tournament 4-5, with victories over North Central, Fishers, Noblesville and Franklin Central. HSE won consecutive October games against Noblesville and Franklin Central before losing its regular-season finale 35-7 to Brownsburg.

For Fishers, the sectional loss closes a season in which the Tigers were unable to break through for a victory. They entered Friday’s game following a 45-7 loss to Zionsville in the regular-season finale.

Southeastern now stands one victory from a sectional championship. The winner on Nov. 6 advances to the regional round, scheduled for Nov. 13.