Page 34 - 2008-09 Football State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

SHERIDAN CLAIMS RECORD NINTH STATE TITLE
Sheridan claimed its IHSAA record ninth football state Sheridan cut into the Rockville lead, moving the ball 67
championship defeating Rockville, 34-28, in the Class A yards in 85 seconds as quarterback Nick Zachery hooked
state championship game. The win was the 36th in a row up with Corey Hamersley on an 18 yard touchdown strike.
for the Blackhawks, good for fourth place on the all-time Sheridan missed the point after however, making the score
state list, and 18th consecutive state tournament victory. 14-13 Rockville, where it stood at the half.
Head coach Bud Wright is the state’s winningest active Sheridan struck quickly to begin the second half as
coach with a mark of 337-144 Zachery received the snap and scampered 39 yards for
in 43 years overall, and 42 the score, giving the Coach Bud Wright’s Blackhawks their
of those years at Sheridan. first lead of the game 20-14. Sheridan extended their lead
Sheridan also became the first to 27-14 when Zachery rushed 40 yards on the first play
team to win the Class A state after an interception by junior linebacker Carlton Summe.
championship three straight Rockville countered with a 48 yard drive that ended with a
years. six yard touchdown pass from King to Clapp, making the
Rockville (14-1) score 27-21 Sheridan.
jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead Zachery continued his scoring ways rushing for his
when junior quarterback Matt third touchdown of the day, needing just one play to gallop
King connected with senior 61 yards, extending Sheridan’s lead to 34-21. Rockville
wide receiver Daniel Martin on cut the lead to 34-28 with 2:19 to play with an impressive
62-yard touchdown pass. The 17 play, 95 yard scoring drive that ended with a three yard
lead was short lived however, touchdown pass from King to junior wide receiver Aaron
as Sheridan (15-0) junior Nick Bridge. The Rox onside kick was unsuccessful however,
Zachery took the ensuing and Sheridan was able to run out the clock.
kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown, making the score 7-7 with Zachery accounted for all of Sheridan’s touchdowns
less than two minutes into the game. Coach Herb King’s (3 rush, 1 pass, 1 kickoff return), while amassing 340 all-
Rox retook the lead 14-7 on a 12 yard rush by senior run- purpose yards and 61 yards passing.
ning back Zach Clapp that capped an eleven play, 67 yard Rockville’s Zach Clapp was named the 2007 Phil N.
drive that took over five minutes off the clock. Eskew mental attitude award winner following the game.

FORT WAYNE BISHOP LUERS WINS SEVENTH FOOTBALL TITLE

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers won its seventh IHSAA state hooked up with junior Tommy Eggleston for a 13 yard
football title in their record 11th trip by defeating Heritage touchdown, narrowing the deficit to 21-6. The extra point
Christian, 21-6, in the Class 2A state championship game. was blocked.
The title is coach Matt Lindsay’s sixth as the Knights head Both teams had opportunities to score early but came
coach. away empty.
Defenses dominated through much of the game but Heritage Christian (13-2) threatened first, as the Eagles
Bishop Luers (11-4) scored three times over a span of 4:18 drove into the redzone, but Meador’s pass was picked off
in the third and fourth quarters that was the difference. by Bishop Luers’ junior Michael Goodwin at the 4 yard line.
Luers broke a scoreless deadlock with 2:16 remaining in In the second quarter, Bishop Luers’ Tony Kebede’s 24 yard
the third quarter when junior quarterback Quinn Schafer field goal attempt was blocked and on its next possession,
connected with senior wide receiver Adrien Spencer for a a 25 yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. Heritage
71 yard touchdown strike, making it 7-0. Following a Heri- Christian attempted a 52 yard field goal in the second
tage Christian fumble on its next possession, the Knights quarter but sophomore Alex Butterworth’s boot landed short
extended their lead to 14-0 when senior running back Issac of the uprights.
Baker dashed 21 yards for the score with 11:12 left in the The Knights were led by Spencer’s 114 yards of receiv-
game. ing and one touchdown.
Bishop Luers put the game out of reach when junior The IHSAA Executive Committee named Heritage
defensive back Lawrence Barnett intercepted a Heritage Christian’s Josh Mills as the winner of the Phil N. Eskew
Christian pass on its very next possession and returned it Mental Attitude Award winner in Class 2A football following
28 yards for the touchdown, extending the score to 21-0 at the game.
the 9:58 mark.
Heritage Christian (13-2), coached by Ron Qualls, got
on the board late as senior quarterback Garrett Meador
32 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport!

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