Page 38 - 2013-14 Football State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review

Lafayette Central Catholic Wins Fourth Consecutive Class A Title

Lafayette Central Catholic marched to the Class A final The game was a rematch of teams that met in the 2011
game on the strength of mostly high-scoring outputs but final game, won by Central Catholic 38-7. The Knights are
used a dramatically different approach to wrap up the state making a habit of capturing state titles. The 2012 crown
championship. was the fourth straight for the Knights, ty-
The Knights ratcheted up ing a state record, and their sixth overall.
their defense while producing It was also the school’s 24th consecutive
one offensive touchdown and tournament victory which ranks second in
another on a punt return to state history.
capture a 14-0 victory over the Also, Central Catholic’s Kevin O’Shea
Indianapolis Scecina Crusaders. became the first coach in Indiana history
Central Catholic averaged 35.4 to win four consecutive state titles.
points through its first five games Brad Schrader powered the Central
in the postseason. Catholic offense with 136 rushing yards.
The Knights, ranked second Preston completed 5-of-9 passes for 121
in the state coaches poll, held yards and the touchdown.
the Crusaders to 165 total yards, Scecina, ranked sixth in the state
an average of 3.7 per play. coaches poll, was led by Thomas Allgood
Central Catholic used a 54-yard and David Tarver, each with 43 rushing
pass completion from Ty Preston yards. Ott Hurrle, in his 21st year as
to Joe Smith for its first score in Scecina’s coach, has led the Crusad-
the third quarter. In the fourth ers to four state final appearances. The
quarter, Timmy Mills extended Crusaders won Class 2A titles in 1990
the lead with a 44-yard punt and ’91.
return.

Bishop Luers Holds Off Ritter, Wins Fourth Straight Title in Class 2A

Fort Wayne Bishop Luers bolted to a 27-point lead and Catholic captured its fourth straight in the Class A title game
then staved off a stirring comeback by Indianapolis Cardinal earlier in the day.
Ritter to collect a 40-28 victory in the Class 2A champion- Luers also tied Indianapolis Bishop Chatard with 11 state
ship game. football titles overall. Chatard will have an opportunity to
It marked the fourth consecutive title for Luers, which extend the mark to 12 in the Class 3A championship game
ties a state record. Warren Central won four straight cham- against Hamilton Heights.
pionships in Class 5A from 2003-06 and Lafayette Central Coach Steve Keefer’s Luers team, ranked fifth in the
state coaches poll, went on top 27-0 late in the second
quarter and held a 27-7 halftime lead. But coach Ty Hunt’s
Ritter club wasn’t finished, cutting the deficit to 27-21 with
10:38 left in the fourth quarter. Four touchdowns by Jake
Hagan -- three on receptions and one on a 38-yard punt
return -- and some strong passing by Jake Purichia led
Ritter back.
Luers finished 11-4. Running back Jaylon Smith rushed
for 150 yards and three scores. His 16-yard touchdown run
with 2:36 left in the game provided his team with breathing
room. Luers amassed 424 total yards and 24 first downs.
Ritter, ranked No. 1, lost for the first time this season
after 14 victories. The Raiders’ early power outage was a
rare occurrence in 2012 as the team came in averaging
50.9 points a game. Hagan caught nine passes for 138
yards. Purichia completed 19-of-34 passes for 238 yards
and the three scores to Hagan.

38 41st Annual IHSAA State Football Tournament is proudly presented by the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS.