Junior Matt DeSomer rushed 28 times for 206 yards and six touchdowns, including four in the overtime sessions, and threw for 100 yards (5-of-11) and two other scores as Andrean (11-2) held on for a 67-66 win over Lewis Cass (11-2) in a Class 2A regional final. It was Andrean's sixth regional title and first since 2004. Matt Anderson booted six extra-points to go along with a game-tying 37-yard field goal at the end of regulation for the 59ers. Sheldon Slusser ran for four touchdowns and passed for a fifth score, while Garrett Riley and Gabe Welch tallied two scores apiece for the Kings. This was the highest scoring regional in the 40-year history of playoff football in Indiana. The 67 and 66 points respectively rank No. 1 and 2 all-time in any regional game ever.
Jordan Scheller went 27-of-38 passing for 467 yards and five touchdowns as Gibson Southern (11-2) rallied from a 49-21 halftime deficit to stun Class 3A No. 2 Charlestown, 57-49, and capture the school's first regional title in football. Scheller also ran 32 times for 109 yards and three more scores, and Spencer Schmitt added 11 catches for 177 yards and one score for the Titans. Brooks Martin chipped three receptions for 77 yards and two scores for Gibson Southern. Aaron Daniel finished 13-of-21 through the air for 207 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 176 yards on the ground and two scores for Charlestown (12-1). Tyler Odle and Seth McCutcheon added two scores each for the Pirates.
Will Jones ran for two touchdowns and Ty Preston passed for two scores as three-time defending Class 1A state champion Lafayette Central Catholic (12-1) rolled to a 49-14 win over Winamac (9-4). It was the 22nd straight post-season win for the Knights, who have now won four straight regionals and six overall. After the game, Central Catholic's players met Winamac's at midfield for prayer. The Warriors had been playing inspired football for Cooper Fulmer, the 6-year-old brother of Winamac senior Gavin Fulmer who was diagnosed with leukemia just before the state tournament. The game took on a special meaning for Central Catholic senior guard Patrick Mackey, whose sister, Claire, died of leukemia. Central Catholic players, students and fans made donations to the Fulmer family, and some Knights fans wore orange to the game in honor of leukemia awareness.
Tyler McDaniel carried the football 24 times for 215 yards and one score as Mishawaka (10-3) captured its first regional crown since 1991 with a 39-7 win over Hammond Morton (7-6) in a Class 4A contest. Sam Schrader passed for two touchdowns to Matt Carver and ran for a third tally as the Cavemen rolled up more than 400 total yards to win its second regional overall.
Tyran Ottbridge and Michael Whitfield scored two touchdowns each in Mishawaka Marian's 42-20 pasting of Heritage in a Class 3A regional finale. Ottbridge had 19 carries for 152 yards on the ground, and Vince Ravotto passed for 123 yards and one score for the Knights (10-3), who won their first regional crown since 1999 and third overall. Conner Sheehan completed 32-of-58 passes for 386 yards and two touchdowns for the Patriots (10-3).
Jake Raspopovich was 13-of-18 through the air for 267 yards and three touchdowns in Merrillville's 50-21 thrashing of Carroll (Fort Wayne) in a Class 5A regional final. It was Merrillville's first title since 2009 and sixth overall. Raspopovich also had 10 carries for 108 yards and one score, and Brian Jenkins added eight catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns as the Pirates (11-2) built up a 50-0 cushion. Christian Terry tossed for 144 yards and two touchdowns, and Drue Tranquill had six catches for 102 yards and two scores for the Chargers (10-3).
Trevor Wilmore accumulated 166 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 18 carries as Concord (11-2) rallied for a 35-21 win over Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (6-7) in a Class 4A affair. Wilmore also passed for 103 yards, and DuWhan Alford chipped in 22 rushes for 115 yards and two scores for the Minutemen, who took their first crown since 2006 and third overall. Ryan Cinadr tallied 96 yards rushing and three touchdowns, Cody Miller passed for 103 yards, and Ryan Wattercutter had eight receptions for 116 yards for the Saints.
Alex Kimack has 27 carries for 242 yards and three touchdowns, helping defending two-time defending Class 3A state Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (11-2) roll to a 49-9 win over Greensburg (10-3). Sam Neighbours added two touchdown passes for the Trojans, who captured their 17th regional championship overall and seventh in a row.
Senior Conner Stapleton and junior Lane Morris combined for more than 300 yards rushing and five touchdowns in Center Grove's 58-34 win over previously unbeaten Castle in Class 5A regional action. Stapleton had 20 carries for 192 yards and two scores, and Morris added 130 yards on 11 attempts with two touchdowns and another receiving as the Trojans (12-1) captured their eighth regional title and fourth in the last five years. Luke Calvert added 177 yards through the air and two touchdown passes to Nate Wozniak, and Kyle Buchanan chipped in six catches for 108 yards for Center Grove. Mitch Giles was 36-of-57 passing for 425 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for two scores for Castle (12-1). Jon-Marc Anderson added 12 catches for 152 yards before leaving with an injury, and Cameron Parus had 11 receptions for 167 yards and two scores for the Knights.
Jace Hartz ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more scores as Evansville Mater Dei rolled past Lawrenceburg, 33-14, for a Class 2A regional title. Nolan Goebel added 144 yards rushing on 19 carries for the Wildcats (11-2), who have won three straight regional trophies and 11 overall. Chad Banschbach ran 18 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers (11-2).
Markell Jones tallied 226 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 27 carries, helping Class 4A top-ranked Columbus East (13-0) to a 35-21 win over Evansville Reitz (9-4). Alex Cowan added 111 yards passing (8-of-12) and 51 yards on the ground for the Olympians, who captured their sixth regional championship and second in a row. Ke'Andre Vaughn ran 29 times for 153 yards and three scores, and Drew Johnston added 154 yards passing for the Panthers.
Je'Noire Smith's touchdown and two-point conversion run in overtime paved the way for Fort Wayne Snider to a post a thrilling 36-35 come-from-behind win over Fishers in Class 5A action. Brandon Phelps passed for 262 yards and two scores and ran for a third tally as the Panthers (13-0) rallied from a 28-14 deficit with less than two minutes left in regulation to take their second straight crown and 13th overall. Quinton Daniels caught six passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns for Snider. Conner Christiansen tossed for 198 yards and two touchdowns, and Maurice Campbell added 18 rushes for 91 yards and two scores for the Tigers (9-4).
David Tarver rambled 15 times for 154 yards and one touchdown in Indianapolis Scecina's 27-0 blanking of previously unbeaten North Vermillion in Class 1A regional play. Conner Tooley added 10 tackles for the Crusaders (10-3), who have captured two straight titles and six overall. Brayden Woodard threw for 139 yards for North Vermillion (12-1).
Corey Beck was 12-of-14 passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns in Hamilton Heights' 19-14 win over Eastbrook in a Class 3A contest. Landon Cunningham added five receptions for 127 yards for the Huskies (12-1), who won their second regional crown and first since 2003. Austin Simison ran for two touchdowns for the Panthers (9-4).
Drake Christen accounted for more than 230 yards of total offense as Class 5A top-ranked Lawrence Central remained unbeaten with a 49-21 win over Indianapolis Pike. It was Lawrence Central's second title and first since 2010. Christian was 7-of-13 passing for 101 yards and one touchdown and ran 15 times for 131 yards. Isaiah Townsend added 12 rushes for 118 yards and two scores, and Alex Rodriguez ran and caught a pass for touchdowns for the Bears (13-0). Brent Lyles tossed for 201 yards and two scores for the Red Devils (9-4).
Cole Bradbury had 11 catches for 102 yards and one touchdown and ran for another score, leading Linton-Stockton (13-0) to a 28-0 blanking of West Washington (9-4) in Class 1A action. Austin Karazsia was 25-of-34 for 245 yards and one score, and Koye Kaiser added 16 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns for the Miners. It was the second straight regional crown for Linton and seventh overall.
Jaylon Smith rushed 19 times for 104 yards and three touchdowns, helping three-time defending Class 2A state champ F.W. Bishop Luers (9-4) rally for a 22-12 win over Tipton (11-2). It marked the Knights' 22nd consecutive tournament triumph and gave them four straight regional titles and 17 overall. James Altherr has 28 carries for 134 yards and one score for Tipton.
Connor Rice completed 9-of-11 passes for 156 yards and two scores as two-time defending Class 4A state champ Indianapolis Cathedral cruised to a 41-7 win over Mount Vernon (Fortville). Gino Gillum had 23 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and Terry McLaurin added two other tallies for the Irish (8-5), who captured their seventh regional crown and 15th overall. Tyler Dicks paced the Marauders (11-2) with 23 rushes for 148 yards and one score.
Junior Jake Purichia went 17-of-19 for 242 yards and four touchdown passes in Class 2A top-ranked Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter's 49-7 thrashing of Shenandoah (9-4). It marked Cardinal Ritter's 12th overall regional crown and first since 2008. Alex Parrett added five receptions for 123 yards and three scores to give a new school season record of 25 for Cardinal Ritter (13-0). Logan Beaman ran seven times for 72 yards and two touchdowns, and Bryan Schmidt recorded 10 tackles for the Raiders.
Sophomore Austin Hoover carried the football 40 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns in Sheridan's 35-14 win over North Miami in Class 1A regional play. Tyler Callahan added two scores for the Blackhawks (9-4), who captured their second straight title and 14th title overall. Levi McKee recorded 18 tackles, including 12 solos, and Tyler Hoover and Ethan Beach added 11 tackles apiece for the Warriors (9-4).
