Collegiate Update: Hanover football wins HCAC football championship

Hanover football secured its first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship since 2019 Saturday with a 48-0 win at Bluffton University.

The Panthers (6-2, 5-0 HCAC) rolled up 586 yards of total offense, and the defense produced three interceptions to help the program earn a NCAA postseason tournament berth.

Shelbyville graduate Axel Conover was credited with one solo tackle for Hanover.

Triton Central graduate Sam Collier also is a member of the Hanover program.

Here is a look at other Shelby County graduates competing at the collegiate level.

Brayden Wilkins

The Triton Central graduate had 20 yards rushing and a 9-yard kickoff return Saturday for Franklin College in a 41-7 win over Anderson University.

Franklin evened its record at 4-4 (2-2 HCAC).

Brayden Schultz

The Shelbyville graduate had four solo tackles Saturday for Montana State-Northern in a 37-20 loss at Dickinson State University.

The Northern Lights have lost four straight to drop to 1-8.

Ellie Simpson

The Shelbyville graduate played all 90 minutes Saturday for IU East women’s soccer in a 1-0 win at Midway University in Kentucky.

The win improved IU East to 10-5-3 (7-2-1 River States Conference).

On Thursday, IU East played IU Kokomo to a 1-1 draw. Simpson, a defender for the Red Wolves, played all 90 minutes in that match as well.

Rebecca Valdez

With a 10-0 win Saturday over visiting Kentucky Christian University, IU Columbus women’s soccer finished its most successful season in the third year of the program.

The Crimson Pride finished 5-10-2 (3-7 RSC). The three conference wins also were a program record.

Valdez, a Shelbyville graduate, scored a goal in the 82nd minute off an assist by Rachael Garcia. Valdez was credited with three shots, two on goal, in the win.

Shelby Lasure

The Shelbyville graduate finished with six digs Saturday for Anderson in a 25-18, 25-17, 25-23 win at Berea.

The win improved the Ravens to 10-11 (2-5 HCAC).

On Wednesday, Anderson lost at Rose-Hulman, 25-19, 25-15, 20-25, 25-17. Lasure had four digs.

Olivia Faust

The Triton Central graduate had five points, three rebounds and one assist Saturday in Marian’s 89-45 season-opening win over the University of Pikeville.

Tenleigh Phelps and Lizzie Graham

Phelps, a Triton Central graduate, collected 21 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and two steals Wednesday in IU South Bend’s 78-66 win at Goshen College.

Graham, also a Triton Central graduate, didn’t score for the Titans in limited time on the court.

The win was the 13th straight season-opening win for IU South Bend’s.

On Saturday, Taylor defeated the Titans, 80-72.

Phelps finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal.

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