Page 35 - 2011-12 Football State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

BISHOP CHARTARD HOLDS OFF ST. JOSEPH’S FOR RECORD 10TH CROWN

A formidable running game, powered by Ryan
Kleinschmidt, carried Indianapolis Bishop Chatard to a
28-14 victory over South Bend St. Joseph’s in the Class 3A
state championship game and elevated the Trojans to an
unprecedented position in the IHSAA record book.
Bishop Chatard became the first school to win 10 Indi-
ana football championships. Coach Vince Lorenzano, who
made his seventh finals appearance, has led the Trojans
to their last four titles. Bishop Chatard finished the season
with 10 straight wins after a 1-4 start and outscored its six
postseason opponents by a 230-59 margin.
Kleinschmidt rushed for 247 yards on 41 carries. His
attempts set a new Class 3A game record and his yardage
tied a record. Kleinschmidt and Bishop Chatard’s sturdy
offensive line set the tone on the opening drive as the junior
running back rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on
seven attempts.
Bishop Chatard, ranked No. 3 in the state coaches poll
and No. 4 by the Associated Press, turned to its passing
game to pull away in the fourth quarter. Quarterback
Stephen DeSchryver completed three of four passes for 70
yards and a touchdown to give the Trojans a 14-point lead
with 6:28 left. DeSchryver was 9-of-13 for 115 yards in the
game.
Coach Ben Downey’s unranked St. Joseph’s team
finished 9-6 after starting the year 0-3. Senior quarterback
Max Matthews passed for 191 yards on 15-of-21 with two
interceptions and also rushed for 71 yards on 17 carries.
CATHEDRAL GETS DEFENSIVE IN 4A WIN OVER BISHOP DWENGER
Indianapolis Cathedral ratcheted up the defensive
pressure on Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Class 4A’s
highest-scoring team, and captured a 31-20 victory and its
eighth state championship.
The Irish, ranked No. 6 by the Associated Press and
No. 7 in the Coaches’ poll, became the fifth school with
eight or more state titles. Finishing 12-3, Cathedral won its
third 4A title in five years.
Coach Rick Streiff’s Irish defense put the clamps on
Bishop Dwenger, which came in averaging 47 points a
game, when it counted most. On three occasions when
Bishop Dwenger advanced inside Cathedral’s 20-yard line,
the Irish defense tightened, recovering a fumble once and
holding the Saints to field goals twice.
Quarterback Connor Barthel hit 23 of 34 passes for 335
yards and two touchdowns for Cathedral, which outscored
its six tournament opponents 322-99. John Rice caught
eight passes for 121 yards and a score, and Reece Horn
had six receptions for 122 yards and a TD. Gino Gillum led
Irish rushers with 85 yards and a TD on 19 carries.
Coach Chris Svarczkopf’s Bishop Dwenger team, play-
ing in the final game for the second time in three seasons,
fell short in its bid for a fourth state title. The second-ranked
Saints finished 13-1.
Reymound Wright led the Saints’ offense with 143
yards and a toucndown on 14 rushing attempts. Jalen West
totaled 108 rushing yards, 80 coming on a touchdown run in
the third quarter.
IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. PURE INDIANA! 35