By Eric Eaton
Hoosier Crossroads Content Coordinator
INDIANAPOLIS – The Hoosier Crossroads Conference was on display in a big way duirng the Marsh Indiana Invitational on Saturday August 23 at the brand new Lucas Oil Stadium with a pair of games pitting 5A Lafayette Jefferson against 4A #11 Zionsville and 5A #10 Avon versus 5A #11 Hamilton Southeastern.
This writer got a chance to witness both of them from the sideline and let me tell you, the fans definitely got their moneys worth as both games were action packed and drama filled barn-burners that weren’t decided until the closing stages of the fourth quarter in both instances.
Make sure to check out the video player at the end of this story for lots of exciting highlights and interviews from both games.
In the first game Lafayette Jefferson jumped out to a 9-0 halftime lead over Zionsville.
However, Eagles coach Larry McWhorter definitely pushed the right buttons at halftime as Zionsville emerged from the locker room to score the first 14 points of the second half to take the lead.
But first-year Lafayette Jefferson coach Andy Kennedy had warned his guys beforehand that they would most likely face some adversity in the game.
Thus trailing for the first time at 14-9, Bronchos junior Jake Matthews returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, putting Jeff ahead for good.
Zionsville still had plenty of opportunities after Matthews’ heroics, but Eagles senior quarterback Melvin Woodard could not rally his team to victory.
In fact, Woodard tossed three fourth quarter interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Lafayette Jeff’s Steven Edmundson.
Lafayette Jeff which topped Zionsville by a final of 22-14 has now beaten the Eagles in three straight season openers.
Next up for Lafayette Jeff is a home date with Tippecanoe County and HCC rival Harrison (1-0) on August 29.
Zionsville will try to avoid starting 0-2 when they host McCutcheon (0-1) on that same night.
With the Jeff/Zionsville game officially in the books, I then turned my attention to the pending clash between last year’s co-conference champions Avon and Hamilton Southeastern.
And folks this game was as good as it gets!
For starters, the large student contingents that both schools brought were raucous, reminding me more of a high school basketball sectional than a season opening high school football game.
And secondly, the action was simply exhilarating.
Yes, both teams made their share of mistakes, but let me tell you there was enough twist in turns in this game to make anyone’s head spin.
Avon scored two first half touchdowns, both on throws from senior quarterback Jake Harris.
However, Avon coach Dave Shelbourne probably felt as though his team missed a couple of opportunities to widen its margin in the first half, having committed three opening-half turnovers.
Trailing by four points, Hamilton Southeastern turned to its running game in the third quarter, and did it ever produce.
Junior running back Matt Ripp scored a pair of third period touchdowns, one of which covered more than 45 yards, as the Royals took a couple of brief third period leads.
However, Avon had plenty of third-quarter offensive fireworks as well, scoring a pair of touchdowns, and thus taking a 27-23 lead to the fourth quarter.
The final quarter though would belong to the defenses, as both teams looked to make amends for a third quarter which saw a combined 26 points scored.
Still trailing 27-23 with less than three minutes left in the game, it appeared as though the Royals might come up short as quarterback Jordan Hamilton was sacked by Orioles defensive end Montez Robinson on a fourth down play call.
Avon took over the ball on the HSE side of the field, but then fumbled the ball on an option play and Southeastern recovered at the Avon 38.
At this point, there were 37 seconds left on the clock and the Royals had but one timeout left.
However, Hamilton would lead the team on a magical drive which saw Southeastern reach the Avon three yard line with just three seconds left in the game.
The Royals used their one remaining timeout to diagram one final play in which they hoped would result in a touchdown and an improbable victory.
Hamilton Southeastern coach Scott May delved deep into his bag of tricks and called a play in which offensive tackle J.T. Macy, who would be an eligible receiver on the play, would get the ball.
And the play worked to perfection as Hamilton tossed a touchdown strike to a wide open Macy in the left corner of the endzone, lifting the Royals to a miraculous 29-27 victory.
Macy, who was mobbed by his teammates after the catch, told me later that the offense often has trouble running that play in practice because the scout team almost always knows when it’s coming.
Next up for Hamilton Southeastern is the team’s annual Mudsock trophy battle with 1-0 Fishers on August 29.
Meanwhile, Avon will attempt to put what surely is a stinging loss to Southeastern behind them, when they travel to Westfield (0-1) on 8/29.
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