After big win, Tipp prepares for The Game

Eight weeks into the football season, and the Tippecanoe football team can finally turn their full attention to the game everyone has been waiting for.

As the Red Devils walked off the field Friday night following a 49-6 rout of Greenville on Tipp’s Homecoming night, they now start preparation for the Troy Trojans, who come to town Friday night at 7 p.m.

On this Friday night, the Red Devils scored early and set the tone, which turned into a running clock after halftime and a win that moved them to 8-0 on the season.

“Greenville is a completely different program, and they are disciplined and playing hard,” said Tipp coach Matt Burgbacher. “They got us the first series, a 13-play drive, playing that Wing-T, which is something different that we haven’t seen since week one.”

“Our kids got the job done, and they knew if they took care of business tonight, it sets the stage for next week.”

Larkin Thomas scored on an 11-yard touchdown run with 10:16 left in the opening quarter to give Tipp a 7-0 lead, then Greenville looked like they would answer. A 13-play drive stalled at the Tipp 24 yard line as the Red Devils took over on downs and began another drive

Thomas was picked off in the endzone to keep the score 7-0, but the Red Devils would hit paydirt again in the first period. With 13 seconds left in the quarter, James Merry exploded for a 33 yard touchdown run to push the lead to 14-0.

Colin Isaacs added a short touchdown run at 8:41 of the first half to make it 21-0, then Max Deckard returned a punt 62 yards for another score, making it 28-0 with just under seven minutes left in the half.

Another Deckard return was called back due to a penalty, but Tipp responded with a touchdown when Will Strong took the direct snap for a two yard touchdown with 1:30 left in the half and Tipp leading 35-0.

Thomas added another score with a 10-yard touchdown run in the third period, then Hunter McLaughlin connected with Nathan Franklin on a score in the fourth period, before Greenville scored a late touchdown. 

“We always talk about the big picture on Monday’s, but only Monday’s,” Burgbacher said. “We took care of business and the good thing, that MVL championship is here at our place.”

Expect a huge crowd at the stadium on Friday