Page 36 - 2008-09 Football State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

CARMEL WINS FIRST FOOTBALL TITLE SINCE 1989

A state finals record crowd saw Carmel (13-2) win its Josh Carpenter and returned it to the five yard line. A 10
sixth IHSAA football state championship, and first since yard penalty moved it back to the 15. Three plays later,
1989 after defeating Pike, 16-7, in the Class 5A football Newton was intercepted in the end zone by senior defen-
state championship game at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. sive back Kendall Flemings.
The win gives coach Mo Moriarity his Kemps added a 32 yard field
third title and first at Carmel. He joins Dick goal and a 25 yard field goal to
Dullaghan (Carmel and Ben Davis) as push the Carmel lead to 16-7 half-
coaches who have won championships at way through the fourth quarter and
two different schools. Moriarity coached set an overall state finals record
Bloomington South to a pair of 5A titles for most field goals in a game.
in 1993 and 1998. He coached the Grey- The Red Devils (14-1) were
hounds to a state runner-up finish in 2006. led by Turner’s 84 receiving yards
Pike jumped out to a 7-0 first quarter and a touchdown. Carmel held
lead, scoring on a 52-yard touchdown pass Pike to 53 yards rushing on 25
from senior Josh Carpenter to senior wide attempts. Pike, which won its first
receiver Jeremy Turner that was set up sectional championship in 2007,
by a fumble recovery by junior defensive was coached by first year leader
back Troy Smith. Carmel responded on its Derek Moyers.
ensuing possession with a 15 play, 67 yard Following the game Pike’s
drive that was capped by a 2-yard touch- Cameron Lowry was named as
down pass from junior quarterback Morgan the recipient of the Phil N. Eskew
Newton to senior tight end Jacob LaRosa. Mental Attitude Award.
The Greyhounds added a field goal from 2007 marked the last champi-
senior kicker Cory Kemps as time expired onship games to be played in the
in the first half to take a 10-7 halftime lead. RCA Dome and last year’s five
A pair of costly mistakes cost Carmel a games drew a record 51,217 spec-
scoring opportunity midway through the third quarter. The tators. Saturday’s three games also drew a record 38,478.
Greyhounds’ Chase Varndell picked off Pike quarterback

Robert Modrowski to be honored as State’s Top Official

Robert Modrowski is the recipient of the 2008 women who give up their personal time to assist in pro-
Interscholastic Athletic Official Association Award for viding wholesome, worthwhile and healthy activities for
excellence in the sport of football. the student-athletes of our state. This honor comes as a
Modrowski will be honored during next weekend’s result of his selection by a committee of representatives
state finals at a time to be from those 26 associations. Statewide, there are more
determined. A licensed than 8,000 licensed IHSAA officials in 11 sports.
official for 30 years, he has A 30-year member of the Lake County Athletic Of-
worked every level of the ficials Association, Modrowski has held multiple elected
state tournament, including offices. He served as LCAOA President from 1987-
25 sectionals, 19 regionals, 1990 and held the position of football program chairman
eight semi-states, and four for several years. He was voted as the LCAOA Official
state finals (1987, 1999, of the Year in 1987 and 1990, and received the IHSAA
2003 and 2007). Distinguished Service Award in 1987. In addition to
Each year, the Indiana football, Modrowski is also licensed in basketball and
High School Athletic As- baseball.
sociation, in cooperation He is a 1970 graduate of East Chicago Roosevelt
with the National Federation High School and went on to receive his Bachelor’s
of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and degree in Biology from Indiana University before earning
honors an outstanding official in each of 11 sports. his DDS from the school in 1978. Modrowski has been
The St. John resident was nominated for this award self-employed as a dentist in St. John for the past 30
by his peers representing the Lake County Athletic years. He and his wife Laura have been married for 33
Officials Association (LCAOA), one of 26 organiza- years.
tions located throughout Indiana made up of men and
34 IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport!

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