Page 36 - 2009-10 Football State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

CARDINAL RITTER DENIES SHERIDAN FOURTH STRAIGHT CROWN

Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter completed a perfect 15-0 down, Ty Perkins scored from eight yards out and Austin
campaign with a 34-27 victory over Sheridan (13-2) in the King’s extra point tied the game at 27-27.
Class A state championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium Both offenses had their way in the first half combining
in Indianapolis. It was the first state championship game for 47 first half points and a 27-20 Ritter lead at halftime.
played in the new venue which opened in August of 2008. Ritter’s Tyrone Walker, who set Class A game records
Ritter’s win ended Sheridan’s bid for a fourth straight with 11 receptions for 183 yards, caught a 20 yarder from
Class A crown and also halted the Blackhawks’ 23-game Hendrickson on the game’s opening drive. Raider wideout
tournament win streak. It was Ritter’s first win over John Shockley, who picked up 132 yards through the air,
Sheridan in three previous title game meetings including ran for one first half touchdown and caught two others from
an overtime loss in 2006. It was Ritter’s third football state Hendrickson including a 33-yarder that put Ritter up 27-13.
championships to go along with Class A crowns in 1977 and Brent Hume answered for Sheridan on its first pos-
2003. session scoring from four yards away and later added
Raiders quarterback Ross Hendrickson scored the a one yard score that cut the Ritter lead to 19-13. With
go-ahead touchdown from four yards out with :40 seconds 2:36 remaining in the half, senior Ty Perkins stepped in
remaining in the game. Tied at 27-27, Sheridan seemed as quarterback for the Blackhawks on fourth and five and
poised to take the fourth quarter lead taking possession on connected with Zachery from 23 yards out. The extra point
Ritter’s 40 yard line following a punt, but Ritter’s Kendall made it 27-20.
Moore recovered a Nick Zachery fumble two plays later Hendrickson set Class A championship game records
at his own 25 yard line with 5:12 remaining. Hendrickson with 27 pass completions and 423 yards and tied the
then marched the Ritter offense downfield including picking attempts mark with 47. Ritter also set the new game record
up 14 yards on fourth and one from the Sheridan 32. Four with 530 yards of offense and the teams combined for 899
plays later he punched it across the goal line. yards of offense, a state finals record regardless of class.
Sheridan had knotted the game up with just under Ritter was coached by third year leader Ty Hunt.
seven minutes left in the game. Zachary intercepted a Sheridan was coached by Larry “Bud” Wright, the state’s
Hendrickson pass and returned it 23 yards before he was winningest active coach with a mark of 351-146 in 44 years.
knocked out of bounds at the Ritter 11 yard line. On third
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN HOLDS OFF CASS FOR FIRST STATE TITLE

Heritage Christian’s defense came up big late in the 7-3 at the break, he connected with Austin Olvey on an
game to hold off Cass, 17-14, in the Class 2A state champi- eight yard strike to give the Eagles a 10-7 lead on their first
onship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. possession of the second half and followed up on the next
Heritage Christian (14-1) held off a late scoring attempt drive with a 10 yard pass to Morgan Cook for a 17-7 lead.
when the Kings got the ball back on their own 26 yard line Cass pulled within 17-14 with 4:39 to go in the game
with 3:26 remaining. The when Foreman found
Eagles’ defense sacked Kyle Moore for a 21
Cass junior quarterback yard touchdown ending
Damon Foreman three a seven play, 80 yard
times in the last drive drive that took only 1:30.
to force a turnover on Heritage Christian
downs and preserve the took a 3-0 first quarter
win. lead on Alex But-
It was the first terworth’s 36 yard field
football state champion- goal. Cass got on the
ship for the Eagles after board with 8:22 to go
a state runner-up finish before halftime when
a year ago. Cass (13-2) Colton Zeck scored from
was making its first three yards away.
appearance in a state Seventh year coach
championship game. Ron Qualls was in
Quarterback Jackson charge of Heritage
Kirtley connected on 18 of his 27 passes for 218 yards and Christian while Cass was led by 23rd-year coach Scott
two third quarter touchdowns for Heritage Christian. Trailing Mannering.

36 37th Annual IHSAA State Football Tournament is proudly presented by the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS.