Staff Report

Ben Davis Turns the Tables on Avon, Rolls to Playoff Victory

AVON, Ind. — Two months after losing to Avon, Ben Davis turned the tables when it mattered most, scoring 17 first-quarter points and shutting out the Orioles in the second half of a 32-10 Class 6A sectional semifinal victory Friday night.

Avon had defeated Ben Davis 22-12 on Aug. 28, but the postseason rematch quickly took a different direction. The Giants built a 17-3 lead by the end of the first quarter, forcing an Avon team that entered the playoffs 6-3 to chase the game almost from the start.

The Orioles responded in the second quarter with their only touchdown of the night, cutting the margin to 17-10. Ben Davis answered before halftime, however, pushing its advantage back to 24-10 and taking control into the locker room.

The Giants’ defense made that lead stand. Avon was held scoreless throughout the second half, including a scoreless third quarter that steadily worked against an Orioles team needing two scores to draw even. Ben Davis then added eight points in the fourth to finish the 32-10 victory.

The Giants complemented that defense with a productive ground attack led by KeShaun Taylor, who rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while DJ Mitchell added two rushing touchdowns while completing 10 of 18 passes for 141 yards and a TD to Cam Crawford. Ben Davis finished with 278 yards of offense, including 141 through the air and 137 on the ground, and didn’t need overwhelming numbers after its fast start and second-half defensive performance.

For Avon, it was a frustrating ending to a season that included six victories and an earlier win over the same Ben Davis team. The Orioles had already shown they could beat the Giants, but the postseason rematch took a very different direction from the opening quarter.

Ben Davis improved to 5-5 and continued a late-season surge. The Giants have won three consecutive games, beating Lawrence Central 45-0, North Central 35-9 and Avon 32-10 while allowing only 19 points during that stretch.

Ben Davis now advances to face unbeaten Brownsburg at 7 p.m. Friday. The two-time defending Class 6A state champion Bulldogs improved to 10-0 with a 48-10 playoff victory over Zionsville.

Avon won the August meeting, but Ben Davis won the rematch that mattered most — and earned the opportunity to play for a sectional championship.