CLASS 6A
CROWN POINT (13-0) VS. BEN DAVIS (12-1)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EST, Saturday, Lucas Oil Stadium.
COACHES: Craig Buzea, 28-6 in third season at Crown Point, 241-93 in 31st season overall. Russ Mann, 12-1 in first season at Ben Davis.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Crown Point beat Westfield, 38-31 (2OT). Ben Davis beat Center Grove, 37-34 (OT).
LAST TIME IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE: Crown Point is making its first appearance in the title affair. Ben Davis claimed a state championship in 2017.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Never met on the gridiron previously.
TOP PERFORMERS: Trevor Gibbs tallied eight catches for 74 yards with two touchdowns for the No. 4 Bulldogs against No. 5 Westfield. Zane Skibinski caught four passes for 134 yards with three scores for the No. 3 Giants against No. 2 and three-time defending state champion Center Grove.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Ben Davis is a beast. There is not one position that we match up well against them. We will have to play a perfect game and hope they make a few mistakes along the way to compete with them being said. A total team effort will be required. We are honored to be representing the North and are looking forward to this unbelievable challenge.” – Crown Point’s Craig Buzea.
CLASS 5A
FORT WAYNE SNIDER (12-1) VS. DECATUR CENTRAL (11-2)
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EST, Friday, Lucas Oil Stadium.
COACHES: Kurt Tippmann, 149-37 in 15th season at Fort Wayne Snider. Kyle Enright, 70-24 in eighth season at Decatur Central.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Fort Wayne Snider beat Merrillville, 28-0. Decatur Central beat Bloomington South, 24-12.
LAST TIME IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE: Fort Wayne Snider was state champions in 2015. Decatur Central came up with a state runner-up finish in 2018.
PREVIOUS MEETING: First matchup on the gridiron,
TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Logan returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown for the No. 2 Panthers against No. 6 Merrillville. KC Berry scampered 21 times for 256 yards with a score for the No. 7 Hawks against No. 2 Bloomington South.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Decatur Central is obviously a very well-coached and talented team. Offensively, they deploy four really good running threats which is unlike most teams. They have diversity in whom they feature on offense. They have wide receivers with speed and skill to score anytime they touch the ball and good offensive line. Defensively, they are big up front and have two really good inside linebackers that plug gaps and disrupt the run game. They also have quality speed in the secondary defending the pass. It will take our best performance to be successful vs. the Hawks. Turnovers will be a huge factor and field position from special teams will be big as well. It should be fun.” – Fort Wayne Snider’s Kurt Tippmann.
“Thank you to the Colts and the IHSAA for hosting a great championship weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium! It is every kid’s dream to play in Lucas Oil Stadium in the state championship game and the Colts have been amazing in spearheading this and making football important in Indiana! Fort Wayne Snider is a very well-coached football team. They are explosive on offense with a dynamic quarterback in No. 2 (Ke’Ron) Billingsley and an elusive running back in No. 1 (Uriah) Buchannan. They are tough up front and have a great running game. They are physical and create turnovers on defense and are led by their linebacker No. 24 (Lukas) Rohrbacher, their safety No.4 (Brandon) Logan and a very good defensive front. Coach Tippman does an amazing job year in and year out and has the team playing with great effort and toughness. We are excited to have the opportunity to compete for a state championship against one of the best programs in the state of Indiana. We will need to fit the run game correctly and make tackles on their dynamic ball carriers. We must force them to drive the field and cannot give up big plays and short drives. On offense, we must dominate the line of scrimmage and establish a run game against a very stout front 7. Winning the field position battle in the game is something that will be a key in the game as well. Two very good football teams will be squaring off against one another and both pride themselves on playing fast and physical. Who can get up off the mat the most and throw the last punch. In order for us to be successful, we have to be able to do these things. We need to protect the football on offense as turnovers are the great equalizer and in championship games, ball security is paramount. We must create turnovers on defense because turnovers can swing the momentum and change the game. We must rip the ball out and try to steal a possession by creating a turnover. Special people play on special teams, so we must make our special teams a weapon by scoring or setting up a score and winning the field position battle.” – Decatur Central’s Kyle Enright.
CLASS 4A
NORTHWOOD (12-2) VS. EAST CENTRAL (14-0)
KICKOFF: 3 p.m. EST, Saturday, Lucas Oil Stadium.
COACHES: Nate Andrews, 85-31 in 10th season at NorthWood, 125-70 in 17th season overall. Jake Meiners, 56-9 in fifth season at East Central.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: NorthWood beat Leo, 45-33. East Central beat New Palestine, 49-0.
LAST TIME IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE: NorthWood finished as state runner-up in 2016 and was Class 3A state champions in 2005. East Central is trying for back-to-back state titles.
PREVIOUS MEETING: First get-together on the football field.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jo’Ziah Edmond ran four times for 68 yards with a touchdown, hauled in three receptions for 37 yards with a score, recorded five tackles, and intercepted a pass for the Panthers against No. 10 Leo. Cole Sebastian registered seven tackles and a fumble recovery for a score for the top-ranked and defending state champion Trojans against No. 3 New Palestine.
COACHES’ CORNER: “I believe that it is important for us to get out to an early lead. We need to tackle really well as their backs do not go down easily. Our kicking game must give us great field positions and punctuate drives on both sides. Our ‘Sudden Change’ mantra will have to shine at its brightest on this biggest stage.” – NorthWood’s Nate Andrews.
“NorthWood is a great football team with talent all over the field. They are well-coached and really execute in all three phases of the game. We are going to have to play extremely fundamentally sound. We are going to have to handle our emotions playing on Indiana high school’s biggest stage. We are going to have to tackle well and create turnovers on defense. On offense, we are going to have to take care of the football and score points. We are going to have to limit NorthWood’s production on offense and try to keep them off of the field. This game will come down to which team can execute better. It will be a great environment, and we are looking forward to the opportunity of playing in Lucas Oil Stadium.” – East Central’s Jake Meiners.
CLASS 3A
INDIANAPOLIS BISHOP CHATARD (14-0) VS. HERITAGE HILLS (13-1)
KICKOFF: 3 p.m. EST, Friday, Lucas Oil Stadium.
COACHES: Rob Doyle, 77-20 in seventh season at Bishop Chatard. Todd Wilkerson, 96-42 in 12th season at Heritage Hills.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Bishop Chatard beat Knox, 42-14. Heritage Hills beat Gibson Southern, 23-20.
LAST TIME IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE: Bishop Chatard is in pursuit of its second crown in a row and 17th title overall. Heritage Hills earned a state runner-up finish in 2004 and 2019 and won the title in 2000.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Bishop Chatard, 34-3, on November 29, 2019 in Class 3A state championship.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Weybright raced nine yards for a touchdown for the No. 1 and defending state champion Trojans against No. 9 Knox. Jett Goldsberry was 2-of-5 for 60 yards with a score, ran 18 times for 66 yards with a touchdown, racked up 13 tackles, and caused a fumble for the No, 7 Patriots against No. 6 Gibson Southern.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Our first order of business will be to stop their quarterback, Jett Goldsberry. He is outstanding player and plays at a very fast level that is hard to stop. If we can’t control their offense and explosive plays, it could be a long afternoon for us. Offensively, we will continue to be a balanced football team with multiple formations and looks. It will be our goal to put points on the board as best as we can. Special teams can be a factor in a game like this and both teams will have to be certain that they are ready and prepared for any unusual looks.” – Bishop Chatard’s Rob Doyle.
“In order for us to come up with a victory this Friday, we must continue to play outstanding defense and be explosive on offense. Our kids believe in each other. They’ve won some close games in the tournament against some really good teams, so we need to draw on those experiences, have a great week of practice, and show up to Lucas Oil Stadium prepared to play like champions.” – Heritage Hills’ Todd Wilkerson.
CLASS 2A
FORT WAYNE BISHOP LUERS (11-3) VS. NORTH POSEY (13-1)
KICKOFF: 11 a.m. EST, Saturday, Lucas Oil Stadium.
COACHES: Kyle Lindsay, 84-60 in 11th season at Bishop Luers. Waylon Schenk, 53-25 in seventh season at North Posey, 81-49 in 12th season overall.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Bishop Luers beat Lafayette Central Catholic, 28-7. North Posey beat Southmont, 37-7
LAST TIME IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE: Bishop Luers claimed four straight state championships between 2009 and 2012. North Posey finished as state runner-up in 2005.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Never played on the football field before.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen White ended with four catches for 112 yards for the No. 7 Knights against No. 10 Lafayette Central Catholic. Jackson Graff came up with four tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery for the No. 4 Vikings against Southmont.
COACHES’ CORNER: “North Posey is a very physical and strong team. They are extremely well-coached, as evident by their low turnover and penalty numbers. They will not beat themselves. I’m impressed with their offensive line play and the talent they have behind them. Their quarterback (Liam Stone) is a playmaker who gets it done with his legs and his arm. Their running back (Jed) Galvis is a star, with size, speed, and athleticism who can catch the ball as well. Defensively, they are very physical in the box and are strong in pursuit angles and finishing tackles. They play with an attitude. Their secondary is athletic and are not afraid of tackling. We will have to be at our very best to win this game. Offensively, we need to capitalize on scoring opportunities and take care of the ball. We can’t afford to play behind the sticks because of bad penalties or missed assignments. We need to understand that every possession matters, and there may not be a whole lot of them. Defensively, we need to communicate as they present a lot of different looks to defend. When we communicate well, we will put ourselves in position to do what we do best: trust our instincts and make plays. Our special teams’ coverage needs to be on its game. Any breakdown can lead to a big play and a drastic change in momentum and field position.” – Bishop Luers’ Kyle Lindsay.
“For North Posey to win the Class 2A state title, we are going to have to limit the big play ability of Fort Wayne Luers. They have tremendous athletes all over the field. We will need to win the trenches, win the time of possession, and win the turnover battle.” – North Posey’s Waylon Schenk.
CLASS 1A
ADAMS CENTRAL (14-0) VS. INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN (12-0)
KICKOFF: 11 a.m. EST, Friday, Lucas Oil Stadium.
COACHES: Michael Mosser, 141-48 in 15th season at Adams Central. Dave Pasch, 150-53 in 16th season at Indianapolis Lutheran, 215-110 in 27th season overall.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Adams Central beat North Judson, 42-18. Indianapolis Lutheran beat Sheridan, 56-14.
LAST TIME IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE: Adams Central was state runner-up the previous two seasons and won the title in 2000. Indianapolis Lutheran is looking for a third consecutive championship.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Indianapolis Lutheran, 30-13, on November 26, 2022 in Class 1A state championship.
TOP PERFORMERS: Keegan Bluhm accounted 75 yards rushing and four touchdowns for the No. 2 and two-time defending state runner-up Flying Jets against North Judson. Jeremiah King ended with two catches for 63 yards with a score as well as three tackles for the No. 1 and two-time defending state champion Saints against Sheridan.
COACHES’ CORNER: “Beating Indianapolis Lutheran will be a tough task. They are very, very good with few if any weaknesses. They are also well-coached, so we must be efficient on offense and smart and stubborn on defense. We must shut down their run and pass game and try to use our offensive drives to keep their offense off the field.” – Adams Central’s Michael Mosser.
“Adams Central is well-coached and very disciplined with a ton of talented players. We have can’t afford to make mistakes. We can avoid that with great mental preparedness and awareness. Adams Central has good team speed, and they are physical and very fundamental. Adams Central is a swarming presence on defense that is physical and attacks. Both schools are familiar with both personnel and schemes from the other school. As a result, we will have to execute the game plan in all three phases of the football game to have success.” – Indianapolis Lutheran’s Dave Pasch.
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