Staff report
INDIANAPOLIS — Missed opportunities early cost Eastern Hancock in a 49-22 loss at Class 2A No. 6/No. 8 Heritage Christian Friday.
Kain Sotelo, Peyton Speer and Mark Kube all had rushing touchdowns.
Down 28-8 early in the second half, it appeared the Royals had a break go their way. Eastern recovered a Heritage Christian fumble, but an inadvertent whistle had been blown and the Eagles retained possession.
They scored on the series to go up 35-8 to help seal the win for the home team.
“We did some really good things,” Eastern Hancock coach Pat Echeverria said. “I think we were close to 400 yards of offense, drove the ball down the field, but shot ourselves in the foot a lot. We had a lot of 60-yard drives that didn’t end in touchdowns.”
The Eagles have won all seven matchups with the Royals.
“I think early on we had some opportunities, but if you don’t convert against a good team it’s going to bite you every time.”
The Royals drop to 2-2 on the season. They will play rival Knightstown, on the road, 7 p.m. Friday for the Plowshare and Anvil Trophy. Eastern Hancock currently owns the traveling prize and have won the last two matchups. The Panthers have not won since 2018.
Heritage Christian plays Indianapolis Scecina next week at Beech Grove High School.
