Indian Creek football routs Manual

<p>For the second straight week, Indian Creek’s defense came up big in a sectional game.</p><p>This time, it was a 33-0 shutout win over Indianapolis Manual on Friday night.</p><p>“Teams have moved the ball on us a little bit,” Indian Creek head coach Brett Cooper said. “But when it comes down to the red zone, our defense has gotten some turnovers or some stops and this time of year, that’s what you’ve got to do.”</p><p>Indian Creek’s offense, though, was what put them ahead early.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>After two Avery Welch runs for 41 yards, Isaiah Lacey ran a 30-yard touchdown in on the third play from scrimmage. The Braves forced a three-and-out and Reid Crowell pulled in a 6-yard touchdown catch to put Indian Creek up 12.</p><p>Welch rushed for 82 yards on the Braves’ first two possessions.</p><p>The ensuing kickoff hit a Manual player near midfield and was recovered by Indian Creek, but the Braves lost some momentum after a three-and-out and a 13-play Manual drive.</p><p>The Redskins drove into Indian Creek’s red zone but the Braves forced a turnover on downs.</p><p>The momentum shifted back to Indian Creek after Lacey and Welch did their thing, combining to take a 74-yard drive into the end zone. Lacey capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.</p><p>Again, Manual drove into the Braves’ red zone, but again Indian Creek had an answer. Owen Neathery’s interception inside at the Braves’ 5-yard line was followed by a 68-yard Welch touchdown run.</p><p>Welch took a defender to the ground with a stiff arm on his way to the end zone.</p><p>“Coming back and hitting one play right after the interception after stopping them from scoring is a 14-point swing in the game,” Cooper said. “That kind of killed their momentum and got it all in our end.”</p><p>Manual didn’t move the ball into Braves territory again.</p><p>Shayn Bishop finished the game with four tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including two sacks.</p><p>Crowell scored the only points of the second half on a 12-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.</p><p>Indian Creek will host Class 3A No. 5 Bishop Chatard next week for the sectional championship.</p><p>“It’s just another week,” Cooper said. “I’m happy for our seniors who get to play in a sectional title. I’m just really happy for those kids.”</p>