The Kokomo Post Sports - Game of the Week: Tipton vs Eastern (Photo Gallery)
What a game. The Class 2A Sectional 36 semifinal between Eastern and Tipton had everything — explosive plays, momentum swings, and a finish that left fans breathless. When it was all said and done, the Comets held on for a 41-40 win to advance to the sectional championship.
The night began with a jolt as Tipton’s Izayah Mahaney returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, giving the Blue Devils an early spark. Eastern quickly settled in, and late in the first quarter, Kaleb Hurt took an option pitch 14 yards to the end zone to even the score.
Eastern’s defense created a big moment early in the second quarter when Cody Tarrh intercepted Tipton quarterback Quinn Tolle, setting up a drive that would lead to one of the game’s highlights. On a trick play, Hurt took a reverse pitch from quarterback Gibson Eagle and launched a 59-yard touchdown pass to Tarrh, giving Eastern a 14-7 lead.
Tipton answered with a strong drive capped by a 7-yard touchdown run from Zane Durham to tie the game, but the tie didn’t last long. Hurt returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown — his third score of the night — sending the Comets into halftime with a 21-14 advantage.
The second half turned into a shootout. Eagle connected with Bently Hullinger for a 56-yard touchdown, and Tolle responded with a 23-yard strike to Zach Ridgeway to keep Tipton within reach.
The Blue Devils regained the lead early in the fourth quarter when Tolle powered in from a yard out. But Eagle and the Comets had an answer. On the next drive, he hit Hurt for a 48-yard touchdown and then found Owen Tolle on a two-point conversion to put Eastern ahead 35-28.
Tipton continued to fight, with Tolle connecting with Dakota Garmon for a 48-yard touchdown. A missed extra point kept Eastern in front, and the Comets quickly struck again — Eagle finding Hullinger for a 65-yard touchdown to push the lead to 41-34.
In the closing minute, Tolle’s 1-yard touchdown run cut the deficit to one. Tipton went for the win, but Eastern’s defense stood tall, stopping the two-point conversion at the 1-yard line before recovering the onside kick to seal the victory.
Tipton finishes its season 6-5, while Class 2A No. 12 Eastern (10-1) advances to the sectional championship for the second straight year. The Comets will travel to No. 4 Eastbrook (11-0) next Friday for the Class 2A Sectional 36 title.
