The Versailles Republican Sports
October 23, 2008

Milan Indians fight their way to a three way tie of the '08 MIFC championship title

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Milan Head Football Coach Ryan Langferman and staff along with the Indian faithful paid tribute to the senior members of the Milan Indian football team, senior cheerleaders, band and drill/dance team seniors on Friday, October 17.
The Indians rallied by game's end to narrowly claim a one third share of the 2008 Mid Indiana Football Conference champion title by defeating the Triton Central Tigers 19-18.
The first quarter was played to a tie at 0-0. The Indians were first to score in the second quarter with a five yard touch down run by senior Zak O'Neal. Senior Jason Garner added the extra point to put the tribe up 7-0 at the 9:49 mark.
With 3:46 remaining in the half, Indian Zach Turner collected the interception and ran it back for a 73 yard touch down, putting Milan on top 13-0. The extra point attempt was missed, leaving the score 13-0.
The Triton Central Tigers managed to put a touch down into the end zone with just under a minute remaining in the first half , but failed to get the extra point between the uprights, leaving the score 13-6 Milan up.
The only scoring to be done in the third quarter of play was a safety by the TC Tigers for two, moving the score to Milan 13-8 TC.
Quickly in the fourth quarter, the Tigers began to unravel the solid play previously seen by the Indians in the first half. At the 7:15 mark, the Tigers connected on a 37 yard field goal, that took the score to Milan 13-11 TYC.
With just 4:46 remaining on the game clock, the Tigers managed to take their first lead of the evening. The resulting 43 yard completed touch down pass and a point after kick put Trion Central up 18-13.
As Indian injuries in the game kept adding up, Triton seemed to get more and more aggressive.
Unwilling to fold under the pressure, the senior members of the Milan Indians and their teammates drew more and more determination to control their last game at MHS's final destiny.
With the same count of 53 seconds remaining on the game clock as Triton had at the end of the first half of play when they managed to get their first touch down, Milan managed to accomplish the same.
Senior Andrew Perkins slipped through the defensive line of the Tigers where senior quarterback Jared Ison found him to complete the five yard touch down pass.
The point after was again missed by the tribe, leaving the score Milan 19-18 Triton Central with just under a minute left for the Indians to protect their lead.
Triton's offensive attack proved quickly that they were not going to just idly lie down and watch the Indians claim the victory.
Down the field they moved, giving themselves an opportunity to score a touch down. The Indians were able to sustain the attack, but time was yet left on the clock for a Tiger field goal attempt.
Hopes seemed to turn to anxiety, but almost as if fate had control, the ball went wide of the uprights and time expired allowing the Indians to celebrate a well fought but most satisfying win.
Senior night was what it was meant to be, a joyful memory to reflect on for years to come.