Staff Report

Whitaker’s late touchdown lifts Hamilton Heights past Mississinewa

ARCADIA — Lucas Whitaker scored on an 8-yard run with 18.5 seconds remaining Friday night, lifting Hamilton Heights to a dramatic 47-40 sectional victory over Mississinewa.

The Huskies overcame a 16-0 deficit, then survived a fourth-quarter exchange of big plays.

Hamilton Heights surged ahead with 23 second-quarter points. Whitaker connected with Jackson Mikesell for a 15-yard touchdown, then found AJ Flanagan for a 40-yard score after Keegan Kavanaugh recovered an onside kick. Two-point conversions tied the game before Whitaker’s 31-yard touchdown pass to Will DeStefano made it 23-16 at halftime.

A Whitaker touchdown run extended the lead to 29-16 in the third quarter. Mississinewa countered with Levi Crandall’s 1-yard scoring run, then tied it 32-32 on his 75-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion following a Kavanaugh field goal.

DeStefano’s 71-yard touchdown reception put the Huskies ahead again, but Jacob Schwartz answered with a 71-yard scoring pass to Rayveon Fetz. Crandall’s conversion run gave Mississinewa a 40-39 lead with 2:06 left.

Whitaker delivered the winning run and caught the conversion pass from Grady Steiner. Jay Sykes’ interception sealed the victory.

Whitaker finished with 371 passing yards and 73 rushing yards. DeStefano added 154 receiving yards and two touchdowns as Hamilton Heights improved to 7-3 with its seventh consecutive victory.

The Huskies will host Western in the sectional semifinals.