Beech Grove loses close one

SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY NATHAN PACE Beech Grove players rush to celebrate an interception by Quanzell Jones (middle) in the first quarter of Friday’s game against Scecina.

Beech Grove senior defensive back Romeo Echols tackles David Baker.

Hornet cheerleaders tried to stay dry with ponchos on the rainy night.

By Al Stilley
Senior staff writer

Beech Grove threw a big scare at 2A No. 1 Scecina in a soggy showdown Friday of Indiana Crossroads Conference unbeatens. With a solid ground game on a muddy field, the Hornets took a 12-7 lead on Tyron Tyler’s 3-yard run with 5:53 left in the third quarter.

However, two fourth-quarter touchdowns by the Crusaders within 65 seconds doomed the Hornets as Scecina survived the road scare, 21-12. Scecina went ahead on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Mac Ayres to Thiery McCormick-Messer. The drive began after the Crusaders stopped Hornets quarterback Jordan Reel on fourth and 1 near midfield.

A 12-yard run by Ayres on a fake punt and a roughing the passer penalty kept the drive alive. BG then fumbled on its first play from scrimmage on the 20, and Ayres connected on a scoring strike pass that iced the game for veteran coach Ott Hurrle. The Hornets lost three fumbles and were intercepted once, leading to two of their foe’s scores.

“You can’t beat a team like Scecina when you make the mistakes we made,” Hornets coach Mark Weller said. “At halftime we felt like we could follow our offensive line and run the ball. We do have some kids who can carry the rock, but we need to be more efficient as we move forward.”

Each team entered with 3-0 records. The Crusaders are 3-0 in the league, BG is 3-1. “I’m hoping this was a game played by the top two teams,” Weller said. “The conference is loaded, so it’s not over yet. I’m sure there will be some surprises down the line.”

The Hornets showed a three-prong running attack with Reel, 17 carries for 150 yards; Terrice Pope, 17 carries for 74 yards and Kylon Tyler, 14 carries for 33 yards. Ayres threw for three TDs and was 13-of-25 for 159 yards.

“Give them credit, to be able to throw the ball like they did in this weather,” Weller said. “They have a very good quarterback and good receivers with a good scheme.”

It was only the third win for the Crusaders in the 16 game series.

Notes: Center Grove sophomore running back Carson Steele scored all four TDs and gained 160 yards in 36 carries as the Trojans defeated host 6A No. 4 Ben Davis 29-22 … Lutheran pounded Oldenburg Academy 47-22 ...  a bad snap that was recovered in the end zone in the third quarter by Columbus North was the difference as visiting Roncalli lost 9-7 … Manual’s prolific offense was held to only 144 yards in a 19-6 loss to Covenant Christian … Greenwood gave up 354 yards against Mooresville as the Pioneers romped 41-14 … Plainfield racked up 454 yards on offense in a 42-7 win against Perry Meridian.

Eddie Schott watch: Southport’s senior quarterback threw for 313 yards and four TDs against Brebeuf Jesuit. His fourgame totals: 93 completions in 146 attempts, 1,414 yards, 18 TDs.