Royals built 21-0 first-quarter lead

INDIANAPOLIS — Sometimes you’re the windshield. Sometimes you’re the bug.

For Eastern Hancock football fans, their Royals have too often served as window splatter against more established programs.

If Friday’s season-opening performance was any indication, the Royals are finally in the driver’s seat. Eastern Hancock built a 21-0 first quarter lead and cruised to a 40-6 win over Indianapolis Tindley, dominating nearly every facet of the game.

It was Eastern Hancock’s first Week 1 victory since 2006 and its most points scored and largest margin of victory since a 48-14 win over Edinburgh on Oct. 16, 2009.

“I think the kids came out ready to go,” said second-year coach Pat Echeverria, who hopes to guide the Royals to their first winning season since 2006. “They were excited; they put in so much work this summer. They were ready to play.”

The Tindley Tigers are in their first year as an IHSAA program and, without a football stadium at Tindley, they hosted Friday’s matchup at Arlington.

The Royals didn’t waste any time feasting on the Tigers’ inexperience.

Spencer Gilbert, last year’s leading rusher in Hancock County, scored on a 33-yard run on the game’s fourth play and the rout was on. 

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