Fishers High School

The Fishers Tigers traveled to North Central to open the 2024 season and came away with a 49-35 victory over the host Panthers. The Tigers were led on offense by quarterback Gage Sturgill and wide receiver JonAnthony Hall. Sturgill finished with over 200 yards through the air and a school record 6 touchdown passes, including 4 to Hall. The Tigers defense was equally strong finishing with four interceptions on the night. The Tigers took the opening kickoff and drove down the field to take an early 7-0 lead. Sturgill connected with Ryan Thembulembu on a 16-yard touchdown. The defense stopped the Panthers, and a short punt gave Fishers great field position. Sturgill found Hall for a quick 18-yard score to push the lead to 14 for the Tigers. On the next possession, Nathan Ash stepped in front of the receiver and came up with a 30-yard pick-6 to stretch the lead to 21-0. The Panthers defense was able to stop the Tigers offense late in the 1st quarter, but a great punt by Graham Imes was downed at the 3 yard line. Charlie Harmon recorded the 2nd interception of the night, and Fishers kept the scoring going early in the 2nd quarter as Sturgill and Hall again connected – this time from 15 yards out. The Panthers offense finally got going and put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard QB keeper by Isaac Foor. However, the Tigers were dominant the rest of the quarter as Sturgill found Hall for two more touchdowns – one from 7 yards and another from 61 yards. TJ Grace recorded an interception midway through the 2nd quarter for the Tigers. Sturgill also went back to Thembulembu late in the 1st half on a 30-yard touchdown with just over 10 seconds left. Fishers went to the locker room at half with a 49-14 lead. The Panthers came out of the locker room and tried to get back in the game as Foor found Donavan Norris on a quick score to make it 49-21. The Panthers completed much of the comeback against the Tigers subs and a running clock in the 2nd half. Late in the 4th quarter, Owen Folta intercepted Foor’s pass to seal the win for the Tigers.