Fishers High School

The 2024 Mudsock game turned out to be a classic and the Fishers Tigers escaped with a hard-fought 37-35 victory over the Southeastern Royals. Fishers jumped out to an early 27-7 lead in the first half, but the Royals stole the momentum back in the third quarter. Both teams went back and forth in an absolute battle. Ryan Thembulembu led the Tigers offensively with 163 yards rushing and 30 yards receiving to go along with 3 touchdowns. Gage Sturgill passed for 197 yards and 1 touchdown. The Fishers Tigers received the opening kickoff but both teams traded quick 3 and outs and punts to begin the game. On their second possession of the game, the Tigers converted on a long 3rd down run by Thembulembu to extend the drive before he finishes with a 3-yard touchdown to give Fishers the early lead. The Royals answered right back with a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 14-yard run by Carter Reed. The early offensive fireworks continued as the Tigers answered right back. A 3rd down conversion from Sturgill to Hall kept the drive going before Thembulembu again found the end zone to give the Tigers the lead right back. The Tigers defense forced a Royals punt late in the 1st quarter and eventually took advantage at Sturgill found Thembulembu for an 11-yard touchdown reception to give Fishers a 14-point lead. The Tigers forced a quick punt and took over at their own 40-yard line. A quick reverse got Fishers going and a 4th down run by Thembulembu kept the drive going. The Tigers finished the drive with a 1-yard run by Brady Griffits. but the PAT was blocked to give the Tigers a 27-7 lead with just over 6 minutes to play in the half. The defenses from both teams stepped up including a pass breakup by Ryan Minns and a sack by Jev Hutton to preserve the 20-point halftime lead for Fishers. The Royals came out of the locker room and took quick control of the momentum. On the first play from scrimmage, Reed broke through for an 81-yard touchdown. After a quick punt from the Tigers, the Royals were again on the move. A long pass to Liam Boyd got the drive going before Vaughn Johnson scored from 8 yards out to get the game within a one-possession game. On the Tigers first play, Kian Kelly picked off Sturgill, but the Tigers defense stepped up and forced a huge punt that pinned Fishers deep in their own territory. On 3rd down, Sturgill found Hall on a 68-yard reception to keep the drive going. Sturgill finished the drive himself a couple plays later with a 3rd down touchdown run. The Royals answered back early in the 4th quarter as Weston had a QB keeper to get the score back to a 6-point game. The Tigers got the ball back and tried to extend their lead as Thembulembu ran for 34 yards to eventually get the Tigers into position for Jon Tangara to kick a 29-yard field goal and take a 9-point lead. However, the Royals answered right back. Weston found Kendrick Pennybaker over the middle for a 73-yard touchdown to cut the lead back to 2 points. Fishers got the ball back with just over 6 minutes and was able to eventually run out the clock. The big play came as Thembulembu broke through and fell just across the line to gain on a 4th down on the Tigers own 28. Tigers was able to get two additional first downs and take two knees to secure the 2024 Mudsock win.