Late field goal lifts No.4 Football over Avon in Sectional, 34-31

By Keelen Barlow

Brownsburg (8-1) defeated Avon (5-5) 34-31 in the IHSAA Sectional Semi-final Oct. 30. Brownsburg advances to host Carmel at Roark Stadium for the IHSAA Sectional 5 championship Nov. 6. 

The Bulldogs earned the program's first ever postseason win at Avon, and their first overall win at Avon since 2009, in dramatic fashion. Brownsburg marched down the field with under a minute to go and the score tied at 31  Freshman kicker Spencer Porath nailed a 34-yard field goal to put Brownsburg ahead 34-31 with 9 seconds left. The kick proved to be the winner as the Bulldogs stopped Avon on the ensuing drive to pick up the win. 

Brownsburg scored 17 unanswered points to erase a 14-7 halftime deficit and take a 24-14 lead over the Orioles. Caleb Marcus and Brandon Burks took over on the opening drive of the second half as Brownsburg churned out the score. Burks' 8-yard touchdown evened the score at 14. The Bulldogs recovered an Avon fumble on the very next drive to set up a 29-yard field goal from Porath. 

Late in the third quarter Cade Garner scored the first of his two second-half rushing touchdowns. Brownsburg led 24-14 before the Orioles stormed back to take a 31-24 lead. Garner's score with 1:33 left in the fourth tied up the game at 31. 

Brownsburg forced a 3 and out from the Orioles to set up the game-winning drive. Marcus' big run across midfield was the crucial play of the drive as Brownsburg moved into Oriole territory.