The Versailles Republican Sports

November 10, 2011

Gary Franklin Photo Pictured above, "To the victor goes the spoils" as senior Cory Strunk returns from mid-field with the 2011 IHSAA Sectional Championship trophy, he and the hardware are engulfed by Indian teammates as the victory celebration esculated to a new level. Many battle scars from beginning to end, but a well deserved victory for a team that has stood tall through thick and thin all year. Best of Luck Indians in regional action at Linton-Stockton HS against the Miners on Saturday, November 12 The kick-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.

2011 Milan Indian football team adds sectional title to their successful season

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Following a very positive and most productive 2011 Milan Indian football team regular season led by head coach Ryan Langferman and his assistants, a 5-0 conference championship was only the beginning.
In continuing they put together an 8-1 overall season, before sweeping their three game sectional to advance to regional action at Linton-Stockton HS where they will battle the Miners on Saturday evening, November 12, with a slated kick-off time set at 5:30 p.m.
Milan Indian Sectional Championship game
A dismal beginning overshadowed the Indians as they competed against the North Decatur Chargers at NDHS on Friday, November 3, for the sectional championship as the Chargers put together a drive for a TD and PAT to take a 7-0 lead at 9:12.
Adding injury to insult, just three minutes later in the first quarter's action, the Chargers scored a second TD and PAT to take a 14-0 lead over the Indians.
Unwilling to fold under the initial down slide, at 5:53 Indian senior Cory Strunk #23 carried the football across the goal line on his 39 yard run to put Milan on the board at 6-14. The attempted PAT by Pennington went wide.
Starting to feel a little relief from the TD scored, the tribe was unable to deter a third TD score by the Chargers in the remaining time of the first period. With 2:43 on the clock, ND added the TD but failed to connect on the PAT attempt, advancing their lead to 20-6.
With just 23 seconds remaining in the first period, Indian Strunk #23 put his second TD of the evening in the score book with his 7 yard run. Again Pennington's PAT kick attempt veered wide, leaving the score heading into second period action North Decatur 20-12 Milan.
Second Quarter scoring
The Chargers managed to add a TD and PAT combination at 7:40 of the second quarter, advancing their lead to 15 points at 27-12.
A 17 yard TD run by Indian Strunk #23 sparked new life in the tribe at the 3:14 mark, but what had become an unusual stigma on this night, the PAT attempt was again denied.
Heading to the locker room at the halftime break, trailing by just 9 points (18-27) generated a positive feeling for the Indians and their faithful followers.
However an injury to senior quarterback Zack Lewis #12 left an untested challenge with Gavin Detraz coming into his first varsity game with the team's most important game to date hanging in the balance.
Third quarter scoring
In third quarter action, the Indians held the Chargers scoreless, while Strunk #23 added his fourth TD of the game off his 5 yard run into the end zone at the 2:17 mark. Teammate Pennington #10 connected on his PAT attempt, cutting the tribe's deficit to a mere two points at 25-27 with the entire fourth quarter yet to be played.
Fourth Quarter scoring
Just 56 seconds into quarter four, Milan enjoyed their first lead of the game off a fifth TD score by #23 Strunk with his successful 21 yard scoring run. Adding the PAT, Pennington #10 edged the tribe's lead to five at 32-27 over North Decatur.
Further injuries to Indian players prompted the team to dig deeper and get the job done.
Milan players stepped up to the challenge of the day, earning the sectional championship title and an even deeper respect by those who follow them.
In summary
The battle included many chills, spills, thrills and injuries galore, but Milan held off the Charger attempt at a comeback to claim their well deserved team victory.
Go Indians!
Milan game stats vs
No. Decatur Chargers
Time of Possession
Milan 23:44 - 24:16 ND
Penalties
Milan 5/26-5/31 ND
Fumbles
Milan 2/2 - 2/2 ND
Passing Yards
Milan 7 - 156 ND
Rushing Yards
Milan 388 - 199 ND
First Downs
Milan 19 - 20 ND
Individual Indian stats
Rushing
#23 Strunk, Cory 38 A / 380 Y & 5 TD's
#10 Pennington, Scott
5 A/ 22Y
#14 Detraz, Gavin
2 A/ 0Y
#12 Lewis, Zack
3 A / -14 Y
Passing
#12 Lewis, Zack
1 Comp / 3 A for 7 Y
#14 Detraz, Gavin
1 A/ 0Y
Receiving
#15 Mays, Willie 1 Rec/ 7 Y
Fumbles
#12 Lewis, Zack 1F/ 1FL
#14 Detraz, Gavin 1F/ FL
Kicking
#10 Pennington, Scott
0 FG / 1A + 2XP
Kickoffs
#10 Pennington, Scott
6/ 171 Y
Kickoff Returns
#19 Spurlock, Jon
2 A / 60Y
#21 Money, Tyler
2 A / 35 Y
#33 Thompson, Sam
1 A / 10 Y
Punt Returns
#23 Strunk, Cory 2/ 59 Y
Total Offense
#23 trunk, Cory
5 TD's / 30 pts
#10 Pennington, Scott
2 PAT's / 2 pts
Defense Interceptions
#25 Kimla, Kurtis 1 Int.
Sectional action scores
Milan Indians 32
North Decatur Chargers 27
Milan Indians 24
Indy Lutheran Saints 20
Milan Indians 21
Sp. Valley Blackhawks 6
Regular season scores
Milan Indians 27
Triton Central Tigers 0
Milan Indians 49
Edinburgh Lancers 7
Milan Indians 31
South Decatur Cougars 0
Milan Indians 36
Indian Creek Braves 29
Milan Indians 41
North Decatur Chargers 28
Milan Indians 13
Eastern Hancock 10
Milan Indians 27
Lawrenceburg Tigers 7
*Milan Indians 7*
*Batesville Bulldogs 34*
Milan Indians 41
Northeastern Knights 19