Page 35 - 2008-09 Football State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

BISHOP CHATARD CLAIMS RECORD-TYING NINTH STATE TITLE
Indianapolis Bishop Chatard won its record-tying ninth Coach Kevin Downey’s Indians (12-3) got their offense
IHSAA state football title, beating South Bend St. Joseph’s, rolling to open the third quarter, moving the ball 54 yards
31-7, in the Class 3A State Championship game at the RCA on 15 plays but their drive stalled when they turned the ball
Dome in Indianapolis. over on downs at the Bishop Chatard 24. On the ensuing
Bishop Chatard is tied with Sheridan for most state drive, the Trojans took the ball 78 yards on six plays, scor-
championships as the Blackhawks claimed their ninth in the ing on a 24 yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback
Class A championship game on Friday night. Rob Doyle to sophomore wide receiver Garrett Arnold.
It was the third championship at Bishop Chatard for Bishop Chatard added to its lead early in the fourth
coach Vince Lorenzano and the team’s second consecutive quarter on a 34 yard field goal from sophomore kicker
title. Lorenzano is one of nine coaches to have guided two Cody Dickson to make it 31-0. St. Joseph’s got on the
different schools (Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter) to the state scoreboard when junior defensive back Zach Matthews
finals. recovered a Trojan fumble, and took it 37 yards for the
Following a scoreless first quarter in which the two touchdown with 5:35 remaining in the game for the game’s
teams combined for five punts and a fumble, Bishop final score.
Chatard (12-3) got its offense going in the second quarter The Trojans racked up 255 yards of total offense, while
when senior running back Dan Kleinschmidt scored from allowing St. Joe just 133. Bishop Chatard was led by Pap-
three yards out, capping an eight-play, 54 yard drive with pas’ 82 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Rob Doyle
8:03 remaining. The Trojans extended their lead to 14-0 finished 10-12 passing for 120 yards and a TD for Chatard.
on sophomore running back Ari Pappas’ 3 yard touchdown South Bend St. Joseph’s Mitchell Speer was awarded
run with 1:18 left before halftime. Eighteen seconds later the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award following the
on St. Joseph’s next possession, Bishop Chatard’s Kyle game.
Dietrich intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards for the
touchdown to make it 21-0 at halftime.
EVANSVILLE REITZ WINS FIRST FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Lowell (13-2) finally answered with 3:18 left before half-
time when senior wide receiver Eric Roadruck found senior
wide receiver T.J. Lukasik for a 4A championship game
record, 77-yard touchdown on a reverse pass, narrowing
the deficit to 26-7 at halftime.
The Panthers came out strong in the second half as
well scoring on the opening drive when sophomore wide
receiver Jeff Hudson caught McIntosh’s second touchdown
on the day on an 8-yard pass. The Red Devils were forced
to punt on their next possession but the punt was muffed
and Lowell recovered at the Reitz 14. Lowell found the
end zone four plays later when Lukasik caught his second
touchdown of the day, this time on a 6-yard pass from junior
quarterback Kurt Monix, cutting the lead to 33-14 which
turned out to be the final margin.
Evansville Reitz won its first IHSAA state football title, The Panthers, coached by John Hart, were led on the
defeating Lowell, 33-14, in the Class 4A state champion- day by McIntosh’s 255 total yards and five touchdowns
ship game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. It was the (three rushing, two passing) and Hudson’s 4A state finals
first state title by a boys team in school history, the second record eight receptions. Lukasik led the way for the Red
overall and the first since the girls basketball team won it all Devils, finishing with 95 yards on three receptions and two
in 1981. touchdowns. The Red Devils were severely hampered
Evansville Reitz took a 26-0 lead and senior quarter- when their top ground gainer, Brandon Grubbe, was lost to
back Paul McIntosh had a hand in all four of the Panthers injury early in the game. Lowell came in averaging nearly
(15-0) first half touchdowns, running for three and throwing 218 yards per game on the ground but were held to only 77
for another. He ran it in from seven yards, one yard and 21 for the day. Kirk Kennedy was the Lowell coach.
yards and then connected with brother Ryan from 22 yards. Evansville Reitz’s Zak Kissel was named the winner
Reitz scored on four of its first five possessions but had an of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award following the
extra point blocked and a two-point conversion halted. game.
IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport! 33

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