West Lafayette, Roncalli Rolls Harrison
The game started with a 40-yard Roncalli kick return to set them up with great field position. They immediately moved into the red zone on a 35-yard rush from Alex Jarvis. Mason Carroll punched it into the end zone from 6 yards out to give the Royals an early 7-0 lead just over a minute into the game. The Royal defense stood strong and forced a 3 and out, which led to a Raider punt which was blocked and led to a safety. 9-0 Roncalli. A one-yard keeper from QB Colin Ash gave the Royals a 16-0 lead after 12 minutes of play.
Harrison opened the second quarter on 4th down yet again and this time successfully managed to get the punt off cleanly. Roncalli stormed right down the field and capped the drive with a 15 yard touchdown from Ash to Roeder. The Royals held a 23-0 lead with 9:00 to play in the half. The Raiders finally got something to work as Landon Nicoloff hit his star wide receiver Jack Gonzalez for a 48-yard touchdown toss. That cut the lead to 23-7. Roncalli had the answer almost immediately with Jarvis breaking off a 20 yard dash before finding the end zone from 5 yards out, for his 2nd TD. The Raiders had some momentum building before Gonzalez fumbled a speed option, which set the Royals up with great field position. Roncalli marched right down the field and scored yet again this time on a 22 yard strike to Luke Roeder, his second of the night. Harrison was able to muster a good 2 minute drill with a pair of 20 yard completions to Gonzalez, but the drive ultimately ended at the 2 yard line as Nicoloff’s pass fell incomplete as the horn sounded.
The Raiders got the ball first in the second half, but came up empty after getting stopped at midfield. Jarvis scampered down the field for 60 yards on 2 rushes before pounding it in for TD #3 on the night. The Royals trigger a running clock 43-7 with 5:00 to go in the 3rd quarter. Harrison finally punched a second TD with 10 minutes to go in the ballgame. Ash hit #18 for a 75 yard bomb to put a dagger in the Raiders, 51-14. The Royals forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and proceeded to score yet again, bringing the score to 57-14.
The Raiders managed to score as the game was expiring, making the final 57-20.
Head coach Sam Otley had the following thoughts on the matchup.
Junior RB Alex Jarvis had this to say on his 3-touchdown night
Both teams await the sectional draw to see who they have in sectionals. Roncalli has reiging 4A State Champ East Central and Harrison has Lebonan on the road.