Fishers Freight football hosted the Jacksonville Sharks for the first time this season on May 16 at the Fishers Event Center.
However, a high-intensity, back-and-forth offensive showcase ultimately ended in a 68-50 defeat for Fishers.
The Freight opened the game with explosive momentum, jumping out to an early 11-0 lead in the first quarter. Quarterback Felix Harper connected with C.J. Windham for a touchdown in the back of the end zone, which was immediately followed by a Calum Sutherland boot for the extra point. Sutherland quickly capitalized with a two-point deuce on the ensuing kickoff, and the defense contributed a safety to build the early buffer.
Despite the early firepower, Jacksonville responded aggressively. Following a Jalen May touchdown and an interception by defensive back Isaiah Major, the Sharks scored again to claim a 14-11 lead before the end of the opening frame.
The second frame turned into a track meet with multiple lead changes. Freight running back Dominic Roberto punched in a rushing touchdown, and Sutherland nailed his second deuce of the game to swing the advantage back to Fishers.
Jacksonville’s Sammy Edwards answered with a rushing score, keeping the pressure on. With under 20 seconds remaining in the half, Windham secured his second touchdown catch of the night to tie the game at 27. A third two-pointer from Sutherland on the kickoff gave the Freight a narrow 29-27 advantage at the halftime break.
The offensive duel continued into the third quarter. Harper took it upon himself to rush for a touchdown and Roberto added his second ground score of the night to give the Freight a 42-41 lead entering the final period.
But the fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Sharks.
Jacksonville orchestrated a dominant closing stretch, ignited by another Edwards rushing touchdown and a deuce from kicker Marc Orozco. A subsequent safety pushed the Sharks’ lead to 52-42. Marquel Wade extended the deficit with his second touchdown of the game with under six minutes remaining in regulation.
While Roberto managed to find the end zone for a third time with under two minutes left — followed by a successful two-point conversion catch by Windham to make it 59-50 — an unsuccessful onside kick ultimately sealed the Freight’s fate.
Jacksonville’s Jimmie Robinson Jr. capped the night with a final rushing touchdown to complete the 68-50 score.
Contact multimedia & senior sports reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral.
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Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
