SPORTS

August 31, 2010

Tribe performs for a true "bell ringer" for Milan fans!

Gary Franklin Photo The Milan Indians defeated the rival visiting Batesville Bulldogs 19-14 at the Milan Varsity football game held at the Milan High School on Saturday, August 28. This was the first win the Tribe had over the Bulldogs since the creation of the 2001 "bell" trophy.

Indians do a little "Bell Ringing" of there own

Gary Franklin
Sports Editor
Warpath Drive in Milan seems to have a different aire to it this morning as the tribe pulled off somewhat of an upset in their Friday night football battle, August 28, on the MHS football field. Rival Batesville Bulldog varsity football team and the hosting Indians battled for the Bell Trophy, with Milan winning it for the first time since its inception in 2001.
The tribe had defeated Batesville before, 1996,1997 and 2000, but this, their fourth win, was the first win with the "Battle for the Bell" at stake in the series history.
Celebration surrounded the tribes football players and coaching staff following the well earned victory by a final score of 19-14 Bulldogs.
Batesville opened the game with possession of the football, only to have to kick it to Milan shortly thereafter. Thr tribe exploded to an 83 yard touchdown on a punt return at the 6:50 mark of the first quarter, scored by sophomore #10, Scott Pennington.
(Yes, the tribe has another running Pennington!) Scott connected for the PAT to take a 7-0 lead.
The Bulldogs put points on the scoreboard in the form of a TD and PAT at the 1:33 mark, knotting the game at 7.
Cavinee #8 delivered an 11 yard pass to Goldsmith #11, with Cobb #6 delivering the PAT kick for seven points.
At the 4:20 mark in quarter two, the tribe struck for a second TD. This score at the hand of Cory Strunk, #23, who delivered a two yard run into the end zone. An attempt by Pennington for the PAT was deflected by Batesville, sailing wide.
The first half ended with Milan leading 13-7.
Similar to last year's game at Batesville, when the Bulldogs left the field trailing in the first half only to return with a vengence and take the game away from Milan.
Not this year!
During the third quarter action, Indian Cory Jewett, #23, struck for paydirt once again at the 6:15 mark, driving into the end zone on a 1 yard run.
The Indian lead remained 13 at 19-7, as their PAT attempt went wide left.
The Bulldogs were not at all ready to turn tail and run. A penalty assessed the tribe as the seconds ticked away in quarter three gave Batesville the ball to open quarter four, only to result in a Bulldog TD by Cavinee with a 1 yard run and a PAT completion by #10.
At 11:57, the game was now down to a five point spread. Way too much time on the clock and history boldly staring the Indians in the face.
With the test squarely placed on the Indian shoulder pads, the punt following the Bulldog score at 11:57 in the fourth period resulted in a Bulldog forced fumble by Jewett, recovered by Batesville.
Batesville had momentum on their side and were making good use of it. Steadily marching forward toward the goal line.
True grit and positivity by the Indian defenders that a repeat of recent years was not going to place on their field, this night proved to be the stabilizing force to secure the victory.
Last ditch efforts by B'ville to break into the end zone for a TD and the six points that would give them a one point lead were solidly denied time and a gain with Kurtis Kimla breaking up Cavinee's last attempt to score, turning the ball back over to Milan on downs.
With possession of the ball at 8:52, the tribe could only make minimal gains, leading to a 44 yard punt by Pennington 6:00 to go.
Cavinee and company began their march down the field eating up the turf. 13 yds, 8 yds., 3 yds., 8 yds., 11 yds., 2 yds. and 2 yds. which led to a 10 yard penalty being assessed them for holding.
The tribe had held their ground and were only 1:31 from putting the elusive "Battle for the Bell" on the record books as one of their winning games of the 2010 season.
Though a non-league game, the victory was sweet!

 

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South Ripley Raider boys XC team captured 3rd, Oldenburg Academy Lady Twisters earn 1st in Annual Rushville HS Division III Cross Country Meet

Gary Franklin
Sports Editor

Amid a field of teams and competitors divided into three divisions based on school enrollments, the Annual Rushville XC Meet was held on Saturday, August 28.
Some 27 high school cross country teams which included 154 individual runners competed in the Division III boys race, (up tp 400 enrollment) with the South Ripley Raider boys team capturing third place.
The annual XC meet held at Rushville HS is the opening competition for many teams across the state. Held on Saturday, August 28, normal participation was down somewhat with school budget cuts being felt.
However, Coach Jim Cole in leading the Raider boys team, found great pleasure with his team's efforts at the meet. Coach Cole stated, "I told the boys before the meet began that we needed to get five runners across the finish line in :20:15 or so to do well today. Our fifth runner crossed the finish line at :20:17.08, helping to earn us a solid third place team finish."
He continued, "The heat, when we were supposed to be really working to get better in preparation for the season, was so exremely hot that many practices were evaded. Less practice time meant harder work was needed once the weather eased up a bit, and the boys have obviously stepped up to the mark."
The Raider boys individual finish and times were as follows: Sophomore Zach Raab - 22nd @:19:13.86, seniors Ethan Back - 31st @ :19:31.46 and Zack Grossman - 32nd @ :19:31.83, freshman Austin Allen - 52nd @ :20:09.04 and sophomore Brytton Rogers - 57th @ :20:27.08.
Finishing just off the team pace were Raider juniors Alex Young - 78th @ :21:15.73 and Josh Huntington - 83rd @ :21:28.20.
Up to seven members of a school may start the race with the quickest five runners finish added together for a team score.
SRHS
Lady Raider runners
Twenty-two high schools were represented in the girls Division III race which included 107 competitors.
Behind new SRHS Girls XC team Coach Megan Marie Dennis, the South Ripley Lady Raiders ran the Rushville Invitational event.
With less than five runners in the race, SR could not score a team score, but runners participated individually. Lady Raider runners and their times included: Senior Cassie Young - 54th @ :25:33.31, sophomore Kristen Walston - 80th @ :27:52:82, senior Amanda McCrory - 105th @ :36:15.23 and freshman Cherokee Mullins 106th @ :36:41.25.
Oldenburg
Lady Twisters win Div III race
Oldenburg Academy junior Ann Kuntz crossed the finish line in 1st place @ :19:54.40. Teammate finishes included: Freshman Sarah Billingsley - 3rd @ :20:55.01, junior Bridget Bruns - 5th @ :21:11.15, freshman Rachel Billingsley - 7th @ :21:22.64 and senior Maria Riehle - 17th @ :22:48.04.
Lady Twister senior Jamie Reed finished 27th @ :23:25.52 with sophomore teammate Courtney Unkrich 44th @ :24:48.77.
Jac-Cen-Del
Lady Eagles take 9th
Coach David Bradshaw's JCD Lady Eagle XC team ran to a 9th place team finish.
Freshman Brooklyn Ronsheim led the way for JCD with a 42nd place individual finish @ :24:41.77. Lady Eagle junior Kayla Forbes was 52nd @ :25:25.09. Freshman Sydney Keene crossed the line for 58th @ :26:05.13. Juniors Kara Wagner was 61 st @ :26:10.00 with Kathleen Maloney 65th @ :26:25.74. Sophomores Ashley Hammond finished 70th @ :26:51.13 and Jennifer Roberts 101st @ :32:41.00.
Eagle boys are 19th
Eagle senior Matt Speer led the way for JCD, finishing 8th @ 18:23.75. Senior Jim Dobbs finished 79th @ :21:20.59, freshman Tanner Volz 93rd @ :21:46.49, senior Kyle Bradley 105th @ :22:30.24. and senior Brock Shadday 128th @ :23:43.51.
Freshman Tommy Tunny finished 145th @ :26:03.16.