Memorable finish

There weren’t many moments the Patriots will be eager to recall.

The sixth-ranked team in the state took care of business, rolling out to a four-touchdown lead in the first half and punctuating their victory with a kickoff return for a TD to start the second and trigger a running clock.

Still, there was an opportunity to make one more memory.

A reverse wide receiver pass resulted in Carter Fugiett connecting with Nick Laux for a 14-yard touchdown to close their careers.

While there were plenty of tears after the Jay County High School football team’s season ended with a 36-7 Class 3A Sectional 28 semifinal loss to the Mississinewa Indians, the seniors were left with something to grin about.

“It was awesome,” said Fugiett, who split double coverage for a 33-yard reception from Laux earlier in the drive. “You know, coach put all of us seniors in for our last moment of our high school career — of not only our high school career, but playing football in general. I mean, it was awesome getting in there with my buds that I've known forever. And being able to complete that pass to Nick for the only touchdown of the game was awesome.”

The game was long over when the Patriots (4-7) faced fourth-and-7 with the ball on the 14-yard line and 4:45 remaining. They decided to have some fun.

Laux, the team’s senior quarterback, took the snap and pitched the ball to his left to Grant Wendel, who ran right and then pitched the ball again to Fugiett. Instead of running the reverse, Fugiett pulled up to pass and had Laux wide open heading for the end zone. Two weeks after running in the game-winning 2-point conversion in a thrilling comeback victory over Heritage, he could only think one thing.

“Don't drop it,” said Laux.

He didn’t, hauling in the pass as he crossed the goal line on the final offensive play of his career.

“We wanted our seniors to go out with a good moment,” said Jay County coach Eddie Fields. “It was a moment that we thought we could show the kids that we love ’em and wanted to send them out with something positive and fun.”

The memorable moment came after Mississinewa (10-1) completely controlled the game, scoring on each of its first four possessions before Seth Yoder was wide right on a 39-yard field goal attempt to end the first half. Its defense forced four three-and-outs and ended the other Patriot possession with an interception.

Already up 29-0 — Ah’lijah Monday had two of the Indians’ TDs and 104 yards on 13 carries — they got an 85-yard kickoff return from Levi Crandall to open the second half and start the running clock.

Jay County managed just 112 yards of total offense, averaging 1.6 yards per carry on the ground.

“For us, that was a good game, start to finish,” said Mississinewa coach Jeremy Lochner, whose team advances to play Bishop Luers in the sectional championship for the second straight season. The Knights, who won last season’s sectional final on the way to the state championship game, rolled to a 45-12 victory over Norwell in its semifinal game Friday. “We struggled starting off games. And this was a game that we finally came out, played like we could, took care of business.”