The third installment in the Journal Review’s ‘Top Sports Moments of the Year’ features Wabash football’s epic comeback win over DePauw in the 127th annual Monon Bell Classic, Southmont boys tennis dominating run through the SAC, and North Montgomery baseball’s stunning upset over No. 3 Lebanon in the sectional semi-final.
Little Giants bring the Bell back home
It was the first Monon Bell classic in the brand new Little Giant Stadium. It was the first Monon Bell Classic in 729 days after the game had been canceled in 2020.
DePauw jumped out to an early 21-0 lead in the first quarter and they looked poised to keep possession of the Bell, but the term ‘Wabash Always Fights’ never spoke louder than when the Little Giants stormed back to defeat their rival 42-35.
This game had it everything you wanted to see in a rivalry game, determination, heart, toughness and a will to win from the Little Giants.
Head Coach Don Morel’s decision to go for the knockout blow up 34-38 and inside the Tiger one yard-line proved to be the play that Wabash fans will remember for awhile. Liam Thompson faked a run and did his best Tim Tebow impersonation with jump pass to Jackson Clayborne who was wide open for what would be the game-clinching score.
Morel always says it’s the number one goal at Wabash to win the Monon Bell game. While the Little Giants ended their season 7-3 (6-3 NCAC), they can say they brought the Monon Bell back where it belongs.
“Our kids did a tremendous job of staying together and fighting through adversity,” Morel said after the thrilling win. “This is clearly our biggest win of the year, because it’s our number one goal every season is to win this game no matter what.”
The Little Giants next season will travel up to Greencastle with the expectation of retaining what they believe is rightfully theirs.
Mountie boys tennis makes history, dominates SAC
Southmont boys tennis has been the cream of the crop the last few years in Montgomery County and in the area. They had yet however to put a Sagamore Conference title to their name, until this past fall.
The Mounties not only went perfect 6-0 in the SAC, but they won all six of those matches 5-0 as they dominated their way to their first SAC title since 1991.
Led by Adam Cox who went 19-2 on the season and made it all the way to the Regional final, the Mounties ended the season with record of 12-4 and fell just short of a third straight sectional title with loss to Parke Heritage in the title match.
“We finished a couple of our regular season goals tonight by winning county and conference titles, which is a nice accomplishment,” Southmont coach Nathan Poynter said after clinching the conference title.
The Mounties will look to defend their SAC title with another impressive run in the fall.
Chargers stun No. 3 Lebanon behind gem from Kirsch
North Montgomery baseball gave us a game for the ages in their 3-2 sectional win over No. 3 ranked Lebanon Tigers back in late spring.
Deciding to save their ace pitcher Garrett Harker for the sectional championship, the Chargers jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third inning when Brooks Walters singled home two Chargers.
On the bump for North Montgomery was their ace in freshman Jarrod Kirsch.
Kirsch pitched the game of his life, throwing a complete game and striking out 11 Tigers in the win.
The Tigers did get a run in the top of the seventh and had the game-tying run at third base, but the freshman wasn’t rattled and struck out the last batter of the game to seal the win.
“He’s really matured very quickly,” North Montgomery coach Ryan Nuppnau said of his starting pitcher. “He has a great baseball IQ and keeps his composure and never gets rattled.”
The Chargers will look for more of Kirsch’s leadership on the hill this fall as they look for another successful season.
