Fishers’ Darian Girton has 269 total reception yards for the Tigers this season. (Julie Brown/File photo)
By CRAIG ADKINS
For The Reporter
Franklin Central (4-2, 2-2 HCC) at No. 9 Fishers Tigers (4-2, 3-1 HCC)
Friday night’s game will be just the eighth meeting between the Flashes and Tigers. Franklin Central joined the Hoosier Crossroads Conference in 2018. Fishers has gone 6-1 against FC, winning the first six, but dropping last year’s contest on the road, 22-13.
Franklin Central defeated Noblesville in Franklin Township, 37-10.
The Tigers started fast and led Avon 16-8 at halftime last week and were able to push away from Avon, 29-15 to move to 3-1 in the HCC.
Gage Sturgill has become one of the best quarterbacks in the state. He’s currently 6th in Class 6A and 21st overall in Indiana with 1,330 passing yards. A 57.4 percent passer (81-141), Sturgill has also thrown 12 touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception.
Ryan Thembulembu has quietly emerged as one of the best dual-threat backs around. He ranks 4th in 6A with 613 yards on 89 carries (6.9 per carry) and has also caught 15 passes for 222 yards and a pair of TD receptions.
Receiver Vincent Rozzi has burst out with 34 catches for 630 yards, good for 8th overall and 2nd in 6A. Darian Girton (269) and Osias Sims (144) also provide depth in the slot.
Delphi Oracles (2-4, 0-3 HHC) at Sheridan Blackhawks (4-1, 3-0 HHC)
It will be the 18th meeting between Delphi and Sheridan in Hoosier Heartland Conference play on Friday. Sheridan has a 13-4 record against Delphi, including three consecutive wins, taking last year’s matchup in Carroll County, 21-7.
Last week, the Oracles lost their fourth game in a rout at Clinton Prairie, 38-0.
The Blackhawks got down 7-0 early last week at Taylor, but were able to hold the Titans scoreless in the middle two, for a 22-13 road win.
Defensive helps carry Sheridan and has for years. Jaden Dunbar’s four sacks ranks him 10th in 1A and Brody Heck has three INTs, good for fourth in 1A.
Offensively, a three-headed rushing presence guides the offense. Alex Cravens leads the trio with 56 carries for 460 (8.2 per carry) and five TDs. Hayden Alexander is right behind with 437 on just 35 runs (12.5 average) with six scores and Jon Barnes has 340 on 51 rushes and also has scored six times.
Noblesville Millers (1-5, 0-4 HCC) at No. 11 Hamilton Southeastern Royals (3-3, 1-3 HCC)
The Millers and Royals meet for their 41st all-time, including playoff matchups. HSE has a commanding 33-7 record against Noblesville.
The Royals have won six in a row, including a 28-21 victory in 2024 at Noblesville. The Millers last beat HSE in 2018, also a road game, 21-7.
Last week Noblesville lost at Franklin Central, 37-10. The Flashes led 23-3 at halftime. Caden Lytle made a 33-yard field goal midway through the second to get the Millers on the board.
FC scored two more times and Noah Shinkle had a 65-yard rushing TD late in the fourth.
Aidan Kincaide has 71 total tackles through six games, which is third among 6A schools and leads the HCC. Alex Hamm has six sacks, good for 15th in the state. His half dozen sacks are also second in the HCC and 6A.
Windsor Hutchins completes 66 percent of his passes (64-97) for 532 yards, two touchdowns. Noah Shinkle has 91 carries for 398 yards and six TDs.
Southeastern fell just short at Zionsville, 35-29. The Royals got down 14-0 and weren’t able to climb back out of the two-score hole.
HSE trailed 21-13 at halftime, scored 16 in the fourth, but fell short by six.
Deaken Johnson is 33 of 55 (60 percent) for 473 yards and 3 TDs. Carter Reed has 101 rushes for 348 yards and six touchdowns. Kendrick Pennybaker’s 602 receiving yards from 25 catches are 15th in the state, fifth in 6A and second in the HCC.
Matthew Ruiz’s six sacks are 16th statewide, third in 6A. Kian Kelly and Henry Wans both have 3 INTs, listing them in the top five in 6A.
