HSE tops Fishers at VYPE Game of the Week!

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By DAMANI DICKERSON

For VYPE Magazine (Central Indiana)

Thousands packed the stands Friday night at Hamilton Southeastern High School for the VYPE Football Game of the Week where Class 5A No. 13/16 Hamilton Southeastern hosted Hoosier Crossroads Conference rival No. 5/6 Fishers in the annual Mudsock game.

The Tigers (1-1) were looking to rebound after losing to the Royals (1-1) both in the regular season and sectional championship game last year. It was a great night for football and the energy level was high.

“Nothing bigger, I love it,” Hamilton Southeastern senior running back Ryan Ripp said in reference to the rivalry. “There are no words to describe it. It’s just incredible.”  

Ripp was also incredible. The VYPE Game of the Week MVP ripped through the Tiger defense, racking up three touchdowns (47, 35, 1) and 143 yards on 21 carries leading the Royals to a 28-21 victory.

“Ryan Ripp is just a heck of a running back. His legs just do not stop. He had a great game and is just a hard guy to tackle,” Fishers head coach Rick Wimmer said. “I give him a lot of the credit for their win. I thought he was the best player on the field tonight.”

Fishers drew first blood scoring on the opening series of the game when junior quarterback Connor Christiansen hit junior running back Harvey Allen with a little swing pass into the flat. Allen picked up a few good blocks, cut back across field and went 74 yards for the touchdown.

Later in the first quarter HSE responded. Ripp‘s first score came on a one-yard plunge set up after an interception by sophomore safety Mason Gaines that he returned 30 yards into the Tiger red zone. A failed two-point conversion attempt left the Royals down 7-6 going into the half.

On the first possession in the second half, Ripp scored his second touchdown of the evening.  He powered up the middle on fourth-and-2, shedding tacklers 35 yards giving the Royals their first lead of the night. His two-point conversion gave them a 14-7 lead.

“It all turned into instinct. As soon as I got the ball it was just find the whole, follow my blocks, then find the open space and take it to the end zone,” Ripp said.

His final score was a 47-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter that put HSE in the lead for good.

“Ripp was huge. He took over late. He got some big first downs and popped that big long run to kind of put it away for us,” Hamilton Southeastern head coach Scott May said following the game. “Ripp’s as good as it gets. He’s done an unbelievable job for four years.”

HSE added one more score on a short slant pass junior receiver Cameron Polk took 59 yards from senior quarterback Ross Risley. Riley finished 10-of-18 in the air for 144 yards.

The Tigers added two late fourth-quarter touchdowns but were unable to get a defensive stop when they needed it. Fishers had some success in the air but struggled with their running game most of the night.

Christiansen led the Tiger passing attack, finishing 18-of-27 for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Junior J-Shun Harris led them in receiving with four catches for 111 yards and one touchdown.

“I have to do a better job at calling plays. I got a little conservative after the interception and we had trouble finding our rhythm until we opened it up a little bit. If I had done that a little bit sooner it may have been a little better for us.” Wimmer said critiquing himself following the loss. “We’re going to see these guy again, no question about it. I’m sure we will and I’m sure it will be a different type of game. It always is.”

                                         Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4   Final

Fishers                                         7    0    0   14  - 21

Hamilton Southeastern           6    0    8   14  - 28