Colonels
run past Green Wave, claim district title
Southern
Sports & Travel
When
the Indianola Colonels won a district title in 2001 no one believed it would be
12 seasons before another taste of standing alone atop the district would come
again but on Friday night before a large home crowd that taste came back as
Indianola defeated North Delta 42-28 to win the District 1-AA championship.
The
win secured a number one seed and a first round home game against district foe Winona
who closed out the regular season at 7-3. The Colonels defeated Winona 27-12 in
week four.
“It’s
been a long time,” said Indianola head coach Tommy Nester. “Our fans and our
community deserve it and these young men deserve it. I’m very proud of our
team, our school and our community.”
Tailbacks
Ashton Knight and Wheeler Timbs combined for 332 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns
to lead fifth ranked Indianola past a North Delta program that had won three consecutive
district crowns and went 15-1 in their last 16 district contests.
“You
can’t say enough about our backs, they ran hard,” said Nester. “Can’t leave out
our offensive line, you win and lose a lot of football games with the men up
front.”
Indianola
wasted little time on Friday night in setting the tone against North Delta.
After
forcing North Delta to punt on the opening possession of the night Indianola
struck quickly.
Starting
at their own 10 yard line Ashton Knight busted through the Green Wave defense
for a quick 10 yards out to the Colonel 20 yard line and then picked up another
13 yards to the 33.
Wheeler
Timbs then speed around the right side and went 67 yards for the night’s first
score with 8:11 still remaining in the opening quarter.
Tyler
Hill’s PAT gave the Colonels an early 7-0 lead.
The
defending district champions responded.
Quarterback
Hays Hudson directed North Delta on a 12 play, 65 yard drive that was capped
off on Bailey Sullivant’s 3 yard plunge with 2:47 to go in the quarter.
Will
Kidder added the PAT to notch the contest at 7-7.
Indianola’s
Michael Sykes would make North Delta pay, returning a pooch kick to the Green
Wave 38 yard line to set the Colonels up in prime field position.
Jonathan
Holland’s quarterback keeper from 1 yard out on the first play of the second
quarter completed a 6 play, 38 yard drive to put Indianola back on top at 14-7.
North
Delta wasn’t going away quietly as the Green Wave went 74 yards and tied the
game at 14-14 on Hays Hudson’s 11 yard run with 4:43 to go in the half but Indianola would finish with a
flurry.
Wheeler
Timbs erupted off right tackle and went 55 yards on the Colonel’s fourth play
following the North Delta score to put Indianola back on top at 21-14 with 3:05
remaining.
After
Indianola forced the North Delta offense into a quick three and out the
Colonels produced a masterful 8 play, 70 yard drive to close the half.
Jonathan
Holland connected with Michael Sykes for a 10 yard touchdown strike with 16
seconds left in the half to give Indianola all the momentum heading into
intermission.
Tyler
Hill’s PAT attempt was blocked but the Colonels closed the half with a 27-14
advantage.
Indianola
continued their surge to start the second half as the Colonels marched 45 yards
in 9 plays and extended their lead to 34-14 when Ashton Knight plowed in from 1
yard out at the 8:24 mark of the third quarter but North Delta still had fight
in them.
Hay
Hudson connected with tight-end Sam Copeland for a 52 yard touchdown strike to
cap a 3 play, 63 yard drive and close the deficit to 34-21 with 7:05 still
remaining in the third quarter.
While
North Delta was able to close the gap, Indianola’s offense was hitting on all
cylinders. The Colonels would score on their fourth straight possession when
Ashton Knight went in from 2 yards out to finish off a 6 play, 52 yard drive.
Wheeler
Timbs found the endzone on a successful 2-point conversion to extend the lead
to 42-21 with 4:13 left in the third quarter.
Wheeler
Timbs led Indianola (9-1 & 5-0) with 171 yards rushing on 14 carries and 2
touchdowns and senior tailback Ashton Knight ran for 161 yards on 27 carries
and 2 touchdowns.
North
Delta was led by quarterback Hays Hudson with 154 yards passing and 2
touchdowns and 65 yards rushing and a score.
Bailey
Sullivant picked up 44 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown.
North
Delta ends their 2013 season at 5-5 and 3-2 in district play. It will mark the
first time since 2008 North Delta did not qualify for the playoffs.
.
Post Game with Indianola Head Coach Tommy Nester
