Senior Mike Fonseca kicks off the ball after the Hornets scored a touchdown.
(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY INTERN DARCY LEBER)
(SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTO BY INTERN DARCY LEBER)
| By Al Stilley Editor Beech Grove and Perry Meridian made progress by defeating their visiting rivals Friday night. The Hornets turned running back Jeremiah Lee loose against visiting Southport, while Perry Meridian defeated Mid-State foe Whiteland for the first time in six tries since joining the league. Lee romped for 242 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries against an improved Southport team that tried to rally in the third quarter. The Hornets captured their second win in five outings, 38-9 for a happy homecoming. “We were prepared and ready to play,” Beech Grove coach Brian Winters said. “We executed the game plan: win the line of scrimmage, keep them (offense) in front of us, and let our playmakers make plays.” Winters continued, “This (win) helps build our confidence. Our offense has been building the past few weeks. Our defense knows they don’t have to dominate, just have to play so our offense can have the ball again and have chances. We are starting to figure things out and gaining a little bit of identity.” The Hornets scored on their first two drives on Lee’s TD runs of 1 and 14 yards with a combined 103 yards with 10 carries. He later scored on TD runs of 57 and 42 yards. “He is a fantastic football player and the guys in front of him are buying into doing their jobs; he’s taking advantage of that,” Winters praised. The Hornets forced Southport to punt on their first four possessions until the Cardinals mounted a 10 play, 40-yard drive that resulted in a 28-yard field goal by Gerson Torres to end the first half. With the Hornets leading 24-3, Southport mounted a nifty five play, 64-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard pass from quarterback Gavin Cummins to Uriah Stearman in the third quarter. The Hornets capped the scoring in the fourth with a 12-yard TD pass from Jaymar Davis to Cantrell Byrd with 9:42 left. At Perry Meridian, the opportunistic Falcons forced four Whiteland turnovers for their first win (28-13) in three league games this season. “We emphasized defense and getting turnovers,” Winters said. “We were in no hurry on offense and we were trying hard to get turnovers. We hadn’t had any in our last two games. We feel we can compete with anybody now.” Tied 7-7 in the first quarter, PM’s Isaiah Needham scooped up a Warriors’ fumble forced by John Hunter and ran for a 51-yard TD and a lead that the host Falcons never gave up. Whiteland closed to 14-13 in the third quarter on a 3-yard score by Dane Kunz. Senior Zachary Huckaby lengthened the lead to 21-13 with a 16-yard TD that opened a solid fourth quarter for the Falcons. On Whiteland’s next series, PM’s Byron Hon intercepted a Warrior pass; Four plays later, running back Andy Warren scored from the 1-yard line to cap a short four-play, 35-yard drive to ice the triumph. Coach Cooper praised the Falcons’ play on both sides of the ball. Colt Barker also had an interception. Huckaby and Warren were defensive stalwarts. The Falcons also benefitted from Anabelle Cloyd, a soccer player, who successfully kicked four of four PATs in her football debut. SIX MORE TEAMS WIN It was a big night for Southside teams as six more teams also won games on Friday. • Franklin Central scored on a late-game 1-yard TD by Jayon Harvey for a dramatic come-from-behind win at Avon. Harvey scored earlier on a 73-yard run in the third quarter. Quarterback Nevan Tutterow threw two TD passes in FC’s first league win of the season. • Center Grove ended its five-game string against out-of-state opponents by defeating Harvest Prep (Ohio) at Ray Skillman Stadium. The Trojans racked up 355 yards total offense with Tyler Cherry throwing for two TDs. • Lutheran extended its state-high 35-game winning streak against visiting Cascade. Quarterback Jackson Willis threw for six touchdowns and ran for another score. The Saints led 42-0 at halftime. • 4A No. 8 Roncalli captured its second straight win against rival 3A No. 2 Guerin Catholic with a stout defense led by Sam Neu’s two quarterback sacks, a blocked punt, and an interception by Dylan Henry. Roncalli’s improved offense rolled up 361 yards on the ground. • Decatur Central and Christel House Manual also posted big wins Friday.  Perry Meridian’s Colton Barker goes up to deflect a pass to Whiteland’s Hank Trimble. (PHOTOS BY DOUG.CLEMENTS@PROMOTIONPHOTOS.COM)  Whiteland running back Slate Valentine scores a TD vs Perry’s Byron Hon. |  Beech Grove junior Jeremiah Lee starts to run the ball down the field in an attempt to score. (SOUTHSIDER VOICE PHOTOS BY INTERN DARCY LEBER)  Tony Taylor attempts to run the ball down the field after getting it handed off to him.  Southport sophomore Gavin Cummins and Junior Tony Taylor stand ready to start the next play.  Perry Meridian’s Annabelle Cloyd, a soccer player, kicked four of four PATs in her debut as a kicker for the Falcons. (PHOTO BY GUY ZIMMER)  Annabelle Cloyd (PHOTO BY GUY ZIMMER)  Roncalli lineman Zane Baker lifts Ben Brandenburg in celebration of a road win against Circle City Conference opponent Guerin Catholic. (PHOTOS BY JOHN SMITH)  Roncalli linebacker Cole Kesler latches onto a Guerin Catholic running back during rivalry game. The Royals limited the hosts to 42 yards net rushing. |
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