Thomas shatters record, Tipp Football destroys Stebbins
If you were late to your seats last Friday night, you likely missed a lot of action as the Tippecanoe football team hosted Stebbins on Hall of Fame night at the stadium. Tipp came out and exploded for five touchdowns in the opening quarter to open a huge lead early. They dominated the Indians 63-0 in a Miami Valley League contest.
In the game, senior quarterback Larkin Thomas not only made a statement with his performance, but he also scorched Stebbins for seven touchdown passes in the first half to set a new school record for touchdown passes in a game.
“We talked about it all week to get off to a fast start,” Tipp coach Matt Burgbacher said. “We wanted to get them on their heels because they do have a very high powered offense. We had to limit the big plays and force them to take another snap. They have shown they turn the ball over.”
“We knew we were going to give up some completions and yards, but just force them to take another snap, and our defense did that.”
“Our offense also took advantage of every opportunity they had. Before you knew it, it was 21-0. We have that big play potential, but we can’t just rely on that. We need to be able to grind it.”
Thomas started his big day on the second play from scrimmage as he hit Colston Artz on a 64-yard strike to give Tipp a quick 7-0 lead. It was a prelude of what was to come.
After Toby Hoover recovered a fumble for Tipp, Thomas connected with Grant Titley from 14 yards out to make it 14-0.
Tipp then stunned everyone with an onside kick, and with 7:21 left in the opening quarter, Thomas hit Bentley Heckman from 31 yards out. Then four minutes later it was 28-0 as Thomas connected on a 29 yard touchdown to Heckman.
A fifth touchdown was scored in the opening quarter when Thomas hit Myles David Sessions from 21 yards out. With 1:06 left in the first quarter, it was 35-0.
Tipp recovered a fumble to open the second half, then 90 yards later, Cade Havill was scoring the sixth touchdown pass of the game from Thomas as he caught a short pass and sprinted the length of the field to make it 42-0.
After Tipp’s defense stopped Stebbins on a fourth down deep inside Tipp territory, Thomas hit Heckman over the middle. He took it 56 yards for another score, making it 49-0 at the half.
“The offensive line gave our guys time, and we have to keep working,” Burgbacher said. “Larkin took what the defense gave them.”
Tipp finished the scoring in the second half with a running clock as Jackson Sinning scored on a 16-yard run in the third period, and Colt Blair added a five-yard scoring run in the fourth.
Tipp now prepares for Butler this week, as both teams come in unbeaten in the conference.
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