Page 40 - 2019-20 Football State Finals Program

Last Year’s State Finals in Review Last Year’s State Finals in Review

Pioneer Rolls to Repeat State Championship, 30th Straight Victory West Lafayette edges Defending Champion Evansville Memorial in Classic Game

North Vermillion surprised defending state champion in a Class A state championship game besting the previous West Lafayette’s Sage Hood bulled in from 3 yards out with
Pioneer by recovering an onside kick to start the Class A mark of 75 set by Nick Barnes of Mishawaka Marian in 52 seconds left to provide the winning margin in a 47-42 West Lafayette, coached by Shane Fry, again scored the
state championship game, but fumbled on the first play. 1973. It was the last record still standing from that first year victory over Evansville Memorial in the Class 3A state first two TDs of the second half, one on a 1-yard run by
The Panthers recovered and of the state tournament. championship game. Hood and the second on an 88-yard pass from Adams, for
completely dominated the rest a 34-26 lead.
of the game. Danny Gregorich added two touchdowns The victory in a thrilling, back-and-
runs, Addai Lewellen also had a TD run, forth contest, wasn’t secured until Memorial, however, rallied and eventu-
The Panthers (15-0) used a while Ezra Lewellen and Dustin Sparks each Memorial quarterback Michael ally took a 42-41 lead on a 3A game
five touchdown performance had TD receptions. Lindauer’s final pass on fourth record 45-yard field goal by Matthew
from quarterback Jack Kiser to down at the WL 24-yard-line fell Clark with 4:10 left. The Red Devils
romp to a 60-0 victory over the The defense held its end of the bargain, incomplete. then embarked on a 13-play, 66-yard
Falcons, its 30th consecutive recording its 11th shutout and holding North drive that Hood finished with his third
victory – avenging a 27-26 loss Vermillion (13-2) to just 136 total yards. The title gives the Red Devils (15- touchdown of the game. He gained 133
to North Vermillion in the 2014 Coach Adam Berry’s squad, making its 0) their third state title in program yards rushing on 33 carries.
title game. Kiser ran for 235 third-straight appearance in the title game, history as they also won in 1993
yards and three scores (one claimed its third title in school history. and 2009 – the latter coming with Adams finished with 466 yards passing
an 81-yard burst) and passed a win over Memorial. The loss and four touchdowns, while Lindauer
for two as Pioneer ran up 454 Coach Brian Crabtree’s Falcons were mak- keeps the Tigers from their second had 340 yards and five scores – three
yards in offense. ing their second appearance in the 1A final. consecutive title and breaks their to Branson Combs.
22-game winning streak.
Kiser’s 81 yard touchdown run Coach John Hurley’s Tigers (14-1) also
in the first quarter set a record The Red Devils scored the first finished as runners-up in 2008 and
two touchdowns on passes of 81 2009.
Logan Benson’s State Record 4 TD Catches Spurs Western Boone to State Title and 92 yards from Kyle Adams in
the first 2:49 of the game. The Tigers came back behind
Spencer Wright connected for the second of four touch- Eastbrook quarterback Dylan Bragg ran for his team’s three Lindauer to take a 26-21 lead at halftime.
down passes to Logan Benson on the first offensive play of touchdowns and completed 6-of-7 passes for 105 yards.
the second half to spur Western Boone to a 34-20 victory
over Eastbrook in the Class 2A title game. The Panthers fell for the third time in the state title game, Dwenger Survives 4OT Thriller for Fifth State Championship
each appearance under coach Jeff Adamson.
The Stars thus completed a 15-0 season with the victory, its Fort Wayne Dwenger’s T.J. Tippmann scored on a 9-yard run The teams slogged through four quarters, each having
first undefeated season in school history, and claimed the in the fourth overtime to give the Saints a 16-10 victory over scoring opportunities, but penalties (120 yards for Dwenger,
second state title for the school -- the first since 1988. Evansville Central in the Class 4A 62 for Central) and dropped passes
Western Boone trailed, 14-10, at halftime, then recovered championship game. plagued both teams. Central (13-2)
an onside kick attempt by the Panthers (13-2) to open the had the final chance to score, but
second half. On the first play, Wright found Benson for a The titanic defensive struggle finally kicker Jon Degenhart’s 39-yard field
56-yard score and a 17-14 lead. That duo connected on a ended when Tippmann took a handoff goal was blocked with :01 left.
9-yard pass for WeBo’s first score in the second quarter. from quarterback Brenden Lytle,
On the next possession, Wright and Benson hooked up slipped off the left side and hit the Both teams missed field goal attempts
in the first overtime before both
pylon for the winning score. The
again, this time on a 25-yard score for a two touchdown
lead. victory for the Saints (14-1) gave converted kicks in overtime No. 2. In
them their fifth state title, while coach the third overtime, Tippmann scored
The Stars, coached by Justin Pelley, put the game away Jason Garrett became only the third on a 1-yard run to put the Saints up,
in the final quarter on Elliott Young’s second field goal (a first-year head coach to win a state 10-3, but Central came right back and
26-yarder after booting a 25-yarder late in the first half) and championship. tied it on an 8-yard pass from Brennon
the final hook-up between Wright and Benson – this one a Harper to Malcolm DePriest.
24-yarder with 3:04 left. In the previous 45 years of the IHSAA
All told, Wright completed 24-of-34 passes for 317 yards, State Finals, never had a champion- In the fourth OT, Dwenger’s Charlie
while Benson had nine catches for 159 yards. His four TD ship game reached overtime in a Howe intercepted Harper to end Cen-
receptions is a state finals record for all classes. Wright also scoreless tie and never had a title tral’s drive before Tippmann finished
rushed for a game-high 82 yards. game been decided after the second the game on second down.
overtime. Central, under coach Troy Burgess,
was making its first-ever state finals
appearance.
40 47th Annual IHSAA State Football Tournament is proudly presented by the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS. IHSAA - Pure Spirit. Pure Sport. PURE INDIANA! 41