THE INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST HONOR ROLL – 2015 PLAYOFFS VOLUME 4
BY PAUL CONDRY AND MATT KOPSEA
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES IN CLASS 6A SEMISTATES
Titus McCoy's two-point conversion run in the second overtime lifted top-ranked Center Grove to a 35-34 win over No. 6 Avon for the southern semistate crown. McCoy finished 36 carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns, including a 10-yard scamper in the second extra session, to lead the Trojans (13-0) to the state title game for the first time since 2008. Nathanael Snyder booted a pair of field goals for Center Grove, including a 34-yarder with 5.8 seconds left to tie the game at 20-20 and send it into overtime. University of Michigan bound quarterback Brandon Peters threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score, while Andrew Griffin added 13 receptions for 155 yards and one tally for the Orioles (10-3).
Sam Scholtes' three field goals boosted No. 3 Penn to a 16-10 win over No. 2 and two-time defending state runner-up Carmel in the northern semistate. Scholtes connected on kicks of 22, 38, and 40 yards to help the Kingsmen advance to the state finals for the first time since 2011. Camden Bohn threw for 158 yards and ran for a touchdown, and John Ohlson added seven catches for 108 yards for Penn. Jake McDonald tossed for 97 yards, including a 28-yard scoring strike to Ethan Merriweather for the Greyhounds (10-3). Carmel starting quarterback Michael Viktrup suffered an ankle injury early on and saw limited action.
CLASS 5A REGIONALS
Dominique Slaughter's interception with just over two minutes remaining helped No. 5 Fort Wayne Snider on its way to a 42-32 win over Mishawaka. Dominick Scott paced the Panthers (11-1) with 10 rushes for 127 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-clinching 56-yard scamper in the closing 90 seconds. Isaac Stiebeling added 154 yards through the air with two scores and ran for 68 yards and one tally for Snider, which captured its second straight regional and fourth in the last five seasons. Darian Phillips ran for 137 yards and three touchdowns, and Peyton Marshall has 118 yards and one score for the Cavemen (8-4).
Marcell Kenner rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns, helping No. 4 Kokomo claim its first regional crown with a 21-19 win over Westfield. Kenner's nine-yard romp midway through the final quarter proved to be the difference. Kyle Wade tossed for 129 yards and ran for one score, Jeron Gray chipped in 151 total yards, and Luke Cameron recorded 10 tackles for the Wildkats (12-0). Ryan Pepiot threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns, Milo Beam added nine receptions for 149 yards and one score, Johnny Swidan ran for 126 yards, and Cameron Daffinee racked up 14 tackles for the Shamrocks (7-5).
Dayne Keller completed 23-of-31 passes for 319 yards and five touchdowns as Castle surprised No. 3 and previously unbeaten Bloomington South, 45-26. Keller also ran for a score, and Noah McLean had nine receptions for 179 yards and three tallies as the Knights (8-4) used a 24-point third-quarter outburst to pull away and capture their first regional since 1994. Gavin Yeskie had three touchdowns passes, two going to John Earl Rochell-Manns for the Panthers (11-1).
Alex Neligh accumulated over 400 yards of offense with six touchdowns as top-ranked and defending Class 4A state champion New Palestine rolled to a 49-21 win over Zionsville. Neligh was 18-of-27 passing for 273 yards and three scores and also ran 24 times for 132 yards and three tallies to help the Dragons (12-0) to their third consecutive regional title. Nick Brickens added 22 rushes for 120 yards and one score, and Duke Blackwell added five catches for 126 yards and two tallies for New Pal. Brenden Mikesell had 96 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, Trevor Leighty tossed for 223 yards, and Eddie Mattingly had seven receptions for 134 yards for the Eagles (5-7).
CLASS 4A REGIONALS
Kyle Killilea's second quarter extra point proved to be the difference as South Bend St. Joseph held on for a 7-6 win over top-ranked and previously unbeaten Lowell. Courtney Rowell's 10-yard scamper in the second quarter was the lone tally for the Indians (8-5), who captured their first regional since 2011. Tony Carmola tossed for 139 yards for St. Joe. Ike James ran for 115 yards and one score, and Jordan Jusevitch added 10 stops for the Red Devils (12-1), who were guilty of a missed extra-point and two field goals.
Amaun Clark carried the football 28 times for 150 yards, including a five-yard touchdown in the third quarter, as No. 3 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger blanked Plymouth, 8-0. Blake Podschlne added 115 yards passing, and Collin Burns had 11 tackles as the Saints (12-1) claimed their first regional since 2013. Jack Barron tallied 129 yards of offense, Colten Schuler had 13 tackles and Jeremy Splix added 12 stops for the Rockies (10-3), who were shutout for the first time since 2011.
Luke Patton rambled 26 times for 172 yards and five touchdowns, lifting No. 9 East Central to a 42-28 win over Evansville Harrison. Patton also threw for 88 yards, and Dillon Watkins added a 75-yard interception for a score to help the Trojans (11-2) to their first regional title since 2003. Zach Theobaldt chipped in 13 tackles for East Central. Ryan Hales was 26-of-46 for 377 yards and four touchdowns, David Felton hauled in 11 passes for 242 yards and two scores, and Noah McBride added two touchdown receptions for the Warriors (10-3).
Nate Fries scampered 15 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns and caught a pass for another tally, helping No. 10 Indianapolis Roncalli to a 49-12 thrashing of Delta. Robbie Strader tossed for 100 yards and two scores, Caleb Bowling had a 76-yard kickoff return for another tally, and Justin Saylor had a 45-yard punt return for a score to lead the Rebels (9-4) to their first regional championships since 2005.It was also Roncalli's 100th post-season triumph. Logan Clawson had a touchdown run and catch, and Ryley Pease added 123 yards passing and one tally for the Eagles (9-4). Delta's Zach Mills, who was the state's leading rusher with 2,357 yards, was limited to 67 yards on 21 attempts.
CLASS 3A REGIONALS
Bryce Tomasi's 10-yard strike to Kenny Derucki midway through the fourth quarter guided Mishawaka Marian to a 21-14 win over Culver Academy. Jake Whitfield ran for 161 yards, Zander Horvath added 113 yards on the ground and two scores, and Joe Ravotto added 90 yards rushing for the Knights (10-3), who overcame four turnovers to win their first regional since 2012. Connor Coponi had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for the Eagles (7-6).
Mikey Kidwell's five-yard touchdown pass to Sam Oates on the opening play of the fourth quarter was enough to help No. 3 West Lafayette post a 28-21 victory at Bellmont. Kidwell was 15-of-23 for 130 yards and three scores, and Travis Rolle ran 48 times for 306 yards and one touchdown to lead the Red Devils (12-1) to their first regional since 2013. Nate Merriott recorded 11 tackles for West Lafayette. Caleb Hankenson accounted for two touchdowns for the Braves (10-3), who lost running back Jordan Amacker to a knee injury during the game.
Jared Stiver and Gabe Coleman both ran for more than 100 yards in No. 5 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard's 33-0 shutout of No. 10 Batesville. Stiver accumulated 180 yards and two touchdowns, while Coleman had eight carries for 150 yards as the Trojans (9-3) racked up more than 450 total yards to capture their first regional crown since 2012. The Bulldogs (11-2) managed just 165 total yards in the contests.
Nick Sellers put his arm and feet to good use by completing 16-of-22 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns and running for 63 yards and two more tallies in top-ranked Gibson Southern's 56-7 thrashing of Brownstown Central. Griffin Scheller added seven receptions for 132 yards and two scores for the Titans (13-0), who won their third regional in the last four years. Gavin Bane had 239 all-purpose yards and six tackles for the Braves (10-3).
CLASS 2A REGIONALS
Stuart Glascow recorded 22 rushes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in No. 6 Whiting's 28-21 win over Bremen. Tom Davenport's two-yard run into the end zone in the fourth quarter vaulted the Oilers (12-1) to their first regional title since 1996. Martin Petruf chipped in 11 tackles and an interception for Whiting. Nate Mullen ran for 122 yards and one score, and Matt Box added a touchdown run and throw for the Lions (7-6).
Jackson Rhoades' 24-yard touchdown run with 1:44 left capped off the comeback leading No. 4 Woodlan to a 29-26 decision over Winchester. Rhoades finished with 148 yards and two scores, and Mitchell VanBrocklin recorded 98 yards on the ground as the Warriors (13-0) rallied from a 26-7 halftime deficit. Austin Lawrence threw for 155 yards and three touchdowns, and Kiante Enis added 100 yards rushing and one score and caught a pass for another tally for the Golden Falcons (10-3).
Tyrell Phelps exploded for 172 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, lifting No. 8 Indianapolis Howe to a 26-7 win over Indianapolis Scecina. Dontae Henderson added five rushes for 106 yards, including a 99-yard scoring run, and also caught a 43-yard pass for another tally, and Justin Johnson chipped in 106 total yards with a scoring throw and run for the Hornets (10-3), who erased a 7-6 halftime deficit to capture their first regional crown. Howe also became the first Indianapolis public school to win a regional since Washington in 1994. Lex Martin tossed for 98 yards and one score, and Collin Connor chipped in 133 yards of offense for the Crusaders (7-6).
Garrison Lee raced 38 times for 240 yards and three touchdowns, helping No. 3 Monrovia to a 40-20 triumph over top-ranked and previously unbeaten Evansville Mater Dei. Dalton Smith added 123 yards on the ground and one score and also caught a 45-yard touchdown, and Jaden Rhea chipped in 89 yards and one score to help the Bulldogs (12-1) to their second straight regional crown. Kurtis Wilderman tossed for 222 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score, and Jackson Pokorney added eight catches for 144 yards and two scores for the Wildcats (12-1), Mater Dei was without the services of running back Drayke Richardt, who missed the game because of a violation of team policies.
CLASS 1A REGIONALS
Avery Denhart passed for 213 yards and one touchdown, leading top-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic to a 31-14 win over No. 2 Pioneer. Jackson Anthrop added 101 yards on the ground and two scores and also returned an interception 55 yards for another tally for the Knights (13-0), who trailed at halftime (7-3) for the first time all season. Coy Cronk added 20 tackles for Lafayette Catholic, who rewarded head coach Kevin O'Shea with his 200th career victory and No. 100 at the school. Jack Kiser racked up 168 total yards with one score, and Sam Kiser added a touchdown pass for the Panthers (12-1).
A goal line stand in the closing seconds helped Northfield claim its first regional crown with a 21-13 win over Adams Central. The Norsemen (8-5) stopped Andrew Hammond at the two-yard line on a fourth down play with 4.3 seconds left to secure the triumph. Jared Short ran for two touchdowns and Jackson Beery added one tally for Northfield. Hammond threw for 157 yards and ran for a score, and Hunter Bates chipped in 70 yards on the ground and one tally for the Flying Jets (11-2).
Jacob Earl ran 26 times for 182 yards and five touchdowns and caught three passes for 39 yards and two scores, helping No. 5 and defending state champion North Vermillion to a 55-37 win over Indianapolis Lutheran. Cody Wright threw for 155 yards and three scores and ran for 116 yards, and Vaughn Depaugh recorded 12 tackles and an interception to allow the Falcons (12-1) to come back from a 21-6 deficit. Jake Reid passed for 328 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores, Tyler Johnson had eight catches for 152 yards and one score, and J.C. Faubion added seven receptions for 115 yards and one tally for the Saints (8-5).
Pierce Jackson ran 12 times for 173 yards and scored two of three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, leading No. 3 Linton-Stockton to a 35-13 win over No. 6 West Washington. Mitch Eberhardt added 113 yards rushing and one score, and Avery Gentry added 12 tackles to guide the Miners (12-1) to their first regional since 2013. Landon McPheeters had 39 rushes for 150 yards and two touchdowns for the Senators (12-1).
