Harrison football wins Sectional 24 opener against Boonville

EVANSVILLE — Harrison and Boonville football put on a scoring display to open IHSAA Class 4A, Sectional 24 Friday, Oct. 23. Thirty-four points were put on the board at Romain Stadium in the first half as the Warriors led 20-14.

But in the second half, zero points were scored for either team.

It was not perfect, but the Warriors are moving on to play Bedford North Lawrence (7-3) on the road in the October 30 semifinal. It is Harrison's second sectional win in as many seasons.

Perhaps, a turning point for the program.

"That's one thing that this group can hang their hat on," Harrison coach Moe Sutton said. "I'm happy to get out of here with the win."

Dissatisfaction following a sectional win

As the answer may suggest, Sutton was dissatisfied with what he saw against Boonville. Missed assignments and penalties cost the Warriors at various points of the game.

It was a rough week of practice for Harrison in the lead up to the game, as Sutton said his group had just one good day.

In the team huddle after the game, Sutton told his team he knows they have more in them. He challenged his group; now it is on the Harrison players to show a higher sense of urgency in preparation for the sectional semifinal.

"All the coaches I had growing up will tell you, 'You play like you practice, and you practice like you play,'" Sutton said. "It showed tonight."

Boonville's season is over. After going 4-6 in coach Jonathan Batts' first season, the Pioneers finished with a 6-4 record.

Boonville dealt with injuries to key pieces down the stretch of the season. But the opportunity was there to advance as the game remained close throughout.

"Coming out of the half, our defense played their butts off holding Harrison scoreless," Batts said. "We just struggled when it mattered. Credit coach Sutton and his team, that's a hard-fought ball club right there."

Boonville had its opportunities to score in the second half, but multiple drives were halted in Harrison territory.

In the third quarter, quarterback Beau Seiler threw an interception off a tipped pass that landed in Harrison defensive back Dre Sanders' hands. Later on, Harrison's defense got stops on fourth down to change possession.

Batts was emotional after the game, embracing players as they walked off the field for the last time representing the Pioneers.

The program will continue without a talented senior class of 16 players. That includes key contributors offensively like running back Mason Jones, wide receiver Bradyn Egli and tight end Wyatt Seiler.

"This senior group, man, they mean a lot to me," Batts said. "They fought till the end of that one right there. We came in here shorthanded, but those boys stepped up and they fought."

While they were not the highlight of Sutton's postgame thoughts, Harrison had some positives. The Warriors scored three rushing touchdowns from three different rushers: DK Rankin, Khi'shaun Brown and quarterback Anthony Bavone. Brown's rush was certainly impressive. evading tacklers on his way into the end zone.

Bavone had a good one too, but his most pivotal carry came late in the fourth quarter to give his team the first down that would put the game out of reach.

Harrison has now won four of its last five games. Teams always want to be playing your best football of the season at this point, and the Warriors have been doing just that.

"We're trying to turn it around," Bavone said. "Everybody doubted me at the beginning of the season. What (are) they going to say now?"

Sutton is certain a performance like the one against Boonville will not be enough to defeat Bedford North Lawrence.

"We won, but it wasn't the way I wanted it to look for us," Sutton said. "We'll be here (Saturday) at 8 a.m. as usual and get ready for Bedford."

Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_.