Published: September 05, 2008 10:54 pm            

No. 6 Royals keep Brownsburg on a short leash

BROWNSBURG — Class 5A No. 6 Hamilton Southeastern overpowered the host Bulldogs 22-0 on Friday, continuing their undefeated season and handing Brownsburg its second loss.

Both teams stalled on their respective opening drives, but the Hamilton Southeastern offense would come alive on its second opportunity of the night going 80 yards in just under 3 minutes for their first touchdown of the night.

Royals quarterback Jordan Hoffman connected with receiver Quintin Lee on a 49-yard pass play and junior tailback Matt Ripp’s 3-yard touchdown run gave the Royals the early 6-0 lead. Brownsburg’s Shawn Shupperd tried to preserve a little momentum after blocking the ensuing point-after attempt, but the Bulldogs’ struggles would continue with a three-and-out and an interception as all that Brownsburg could muster in consecutive possessions.

The Bulldog defense managed a key stop on fourth down and momentum appeared to shift to the home team if only for a moment, but the Brownsburg offense failed to capitalize on good field position inside Hamilton Southeastern territory.

The Royals (3-0) took over at their own 17 yard-line and used up much of the second quarter with another lengthy touchdown drive this time going 83 yards in 12 plays to push the score to 12-0. The Royals failed on the two-point conversion, but put themselves in comfortable position heading into halftime.

Hamilton Southeastern, whose entire starting offensive and defensive units are comprised of juniors and seniors, showed its experience tallying just under 200 yards of total offense in the first half while holding Brownsburg (1-2) to just 21 yards.

Still the Bulldogs kept the contest close thanks in large part to a Hamilton Southeastern pass interference penalty on what would have otherwise resulted in Brownsburg having a 2nd down and 30 yards to go situation from deep inside its own territory.

After Brownsburg quarterback Brad Hollen’s 15-yard completion to junior tailback Gus Ervin, the Bulldogs appeared poised to mount their first scoring drive of the night. But three plays later it was the Royals’ defense that would make the big play when defensive back Jeff Green picked off a Hollen pass attempt to halt the Brownsburg scoring drive.

For the Royals, Hoffman found a little fourth quarter rhythm of his own connecting on 4 of 5 pass attempts and scrambling 16 yards for a first down on a botched field goal attempt in a drive that saw Hamilton Southeastern as close as the Brownsburg 2 yard-line. An illegal procedure penalty forced the Royals to settle for a short field goal to push the score to 15-0.

After a Brownsburg turnover on downs, Hamilton Southeastern added another touchdown with under 2:48 remaining when Hoffman connected with receiver Tyler Sherrier on an 18-yard score.

Brownsburg head coach Brett Comer was pleased with his defense but cited dropped balls and unforced errors as key sources of frustration both in this loss and an earlier 2-point defeat at the hands of Noblesville.

“It’s not like we threw it that poorly,” Comer said. “We have to make plays and that has to happen or it’s going to be a long year.”

The Bulldogs travel to Westfield next week to take on the host Shamrocks. Comer said that focus and preparation this week will be key.

“Everybody in our league has people that can coach and kids that can play,” he said. “I’m worried about us, I’m not worried about Westfield.”

        

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