Tigers rough up Lawrence North

The REPORTER

Micah Hillen booted a last-second field goal for the Fishers Tigers on Friday, Aug. 29, sending his team to a 31-28 victory at Lawrence North.

Fishers had to hold off a comeback from the Wildcats, who trailed 21-6 early in the third quarter after Ryan Thembulembu caught a 59-yard touchdown pass from Gage Sturgill. Lawrence North scored on a five-yard TD reception minutes later, but Thembulembu answered again, running the ball into the end zone from 26 yards to give the Tigers a 28-14 lead.

The Wildcats connected on two touchdown receptions – one at the end of the third quarter and the other midway through the fourth – to tie the game at 28-28. But Hillen came through with a 29-yard kick with two seconds left.

Thembulembu finished the game with three touchdowns; he punched the ball in from the one-yard line in the second quarter. Sam Hawkins put Fishers on the board at the end of the first quarter with a four-yard touchdown run.

Sturgill was 16-of-26 passing with 246 yards, while Thembulembu rushed for 125 yards. Vincent Rozzi led the receptions with five, while Thembulembu and Mason Cantwell both made four; Thembulembu’s catches totaled 88 yards.

Atticus Finley led the tackles with 10 total (six solo, four assists), with Emmanuel Cowherd making nine solo tackles and an interception. Jaxson Andrews had nine total tackles (six solo, three assists), including one tackle for a loss. Nolan Kuhn and Carsen Elmos both made one TFL.

Fishers is 1-1 and begins Hoosier Crossroads Conference play this Friday at Noblesville.