IHSAA football: Zionsville's defense turns over Greenfield-Central
ZIONSVILLE – Zionsville used a strong defensive performance to knock out Greenfield-Central 40-14 in the first round of Class 5A sectional play Friday night.
Both teams entered the game on a losing skid. Zionsville dropped its final three regular-season games, while Greenfield-Central lost five of its last six after starting the season 2-1.
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► Indiana high school football sectional scores, roundup
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► Greenwood scores early and often, advance past Beech Grove
► Brebeuf Jesuit capitalizes on Guerin Catholic blunders
► Tri-West gets past Monrovia, sets up matchup with rival Danville
The Eagles are now one step closer to winning their third-consecutive sectional title and 13th overall.
Greenfield-Central quarterback Andrew Leslie was harassed by Zionsville’s defensive line all night. He was sacked six times and threw four interceptions.
“It was pretty fun to watch those guys work and make some plays,” said Zionsville coach Pat Echeverria.
Leslie found the end zone twice in the second half, once on the ground and once through the air, but the Cougars were never threatening.
Zionsville took a 19-0 lead into halftime, scoring both touchdowns off two Greenfield-Central turnovers. The Eagles also coughed up the ball five times in the first half, but the Cougars’ offense wasn’t able to take advantage. Following an interception near the end of the half, the Cougars had a chance to get on the scoreboard, but had a field goal blocked.
Zionsville’s third- and fourth-string quarterbacks, Cole Wiseman and Sam Monachino, combined to complete 8-of-27 passes for 116 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions. With the lead, the Eagles turned their focus to the ground in the second half.
“Our offensive line picked it up, and we were able to establish a good running game,” Echeverria said.
Zionsville only committed one turnover after the break and the Eagles got a big boost from running back Tommy Fossett III, who had 112 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
Zionsville will now get ready to face Anderson in the Sectional 12 semifinals next week.
ZIONSVILLE 40, GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 14
Greenfield-Central 0 0 7 7 — 14
Zionsville 6 13 14 7 — 40
Z — Chris Freeman 35 FG
Z — Freeman 41 FG
Z — Nick Brier 40 run (kick failed)
Z — Tommy Fossett III 13 run (Freeman kick)
Z — Fossett III 25 run (Freeman kick)
GC — Andrew Leslie 1 run (Cole Pierse kick)
Z — Joel DeOursey 7 pass from Sam Monachino (Freeman kick)
Z — Nick Nelson 76 interception return (Freeman kick)
GC — Chase Ratliff 76 pass from Leslie (Pierse kick)
Rushing — Greenfield-Central, Andrew Leslie 7-7, 1 TD, Braden Brown 4-6, Turk Faitele 5-2, Jake Vance 2-(-2). Zionsville, Nick Brier 9-82, 1 TD, Tommy Fossett III 7-77, 2 TD, Kyle Callahan 3-26, Jordan Hull 1-21, Daniel Snyder 2-20, Tyler Milby 2-1.
Passing — Greenfield-Central, Andrew Leslie 20-45-183, 1 TD, 4 INT, Braden Brown 0-1-0, 1 INT. Zionsvile, Cole Wiseman 4-13-93, 3 INT, Sam Monachino 4-16-39, 1 TD, 1 INT.
Receiving — Greenfield-Central, Mike Hoskins 8-81, Chase Ratliff 5-36, 1 TD, Orlando Mojica 3-19, Dawson Davis 2-14, Braden Brown 1-7. Zionsville, Jordan Hull 2-41, Tommy Fossett III 3-35, Mitchell Canada 1-26, Brody Whitesell 1-8, Joel DeOursey 1-7, 1 TD.