THE INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST HONOR ROLL – 2015 PLAYOFFS VOLUME 5
BY PAUL CONDRY AND MATT KOPSEA
CLASS 5A SEMISTATE PERFOMANCES
Money Woods and Dominick Scott scored three touchdowns apiece as No. 5 Fort Wayne Snider used a strong second half to down No. 4 and previously unbeaten Kokomo, 56-20. Woods scampered 185 yards and Scott added 82 yards as the Panthers (12-1) outscored Kokomo, 28-0, after the break to earn their first trip to the title game since 2012. Isaac Stiebeling added 210 yards passing and one rushing score, Malik Bramley had five catches for 107 yards, and Drew Breisford recorded 11 tackles for Snider. Kyle Wade threw for 171 yards and one score and ran for another tally, Marcelle Kenner added 136 yards on the ground with a touchdown, Jordan Matthews caught four passes for 120 yard, and Noah Hurlock racked up 13 tackles for the Wildkats (12-1).
Alex Neligh tied a school record with his 52nd career rushing touchdown, helping top-ranked and defending Class 4A state champion New Palestine cruise to a 56-6 win over Castle. Neligh ran 24 times for 213 yards and three scores to draw even with Jeff Miles on the all-time list and also completed 6-of-8 passes for 93 yards and one tally. Nick Brickens added 86 yards rushing and two scores, while Joe Izbicki had a scoring catch, 10 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and an 11-yard return of a blocked punt for another tally as the Dragons (13-0) build up a 28-0 halftime cushion on the way to their 27th consecutive win. Dayne Keller tossed for 158 yards and a touchdown for the Knights (8-5).
CLASS 4A
Blake Podschlne accounted for more than 100 yards both through the air and on the ground, leading No. 3 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger to a 41-7 triumph over South Bend St. Joseph. Podschlne threw for 106 yards and one score and rushed for 101 yards and two tallies to guide the Saints (13-1) back to the finals for the first time since 2013. Amaun Clark chipped in 112 yards and one score, and Frank Yanko racked up 10 stops as Dwenger raced to a 28-7 halftime lead. Mark Madden had a 14-yard touchdown reception to pace the Indians (8-6), who were limited to nine first downs and 171 total yards.
Luke Patton put his arm and legs to good use in helping No. 9 East Central to a 21-0 blanking of No. 10 Indianapolis Roncalli. Patton was 8-of-11 passing for 61 yards and one score and ran 29 times for 132 yards and two scores to help the Trojans (12-2) avenge a 31-10 loss to Roncalli on October 16. Doug Rosemeyer added 78 yards rushing to guide East Central to the state finals for the first time since 1994. Robbie Stader tossed for 100 yards to pace the Rebels (9-5), who managed minus-28 yards on the ground.
CLASS 3A
Brenden Adams' interception with less than two minutes left clinched No. 3 West Lafayette's come-from-behind 14-10 win over No. 13 Mishawaka Marian. Travis Rolle ran 36 times for 145 yards and one score, and Mikey Kidwell overcame four interceptions to throw for 125 yards and one score to help the Red Devils (13-1) erase a 10-0 halftime deficit. Nai Carlisle added 101 total yards and Sam Oates recorded 11 tackles to put West Lafayette in the finals for the first time since 2009. Joe Ravotto came up with a pair of interceptions, including one returned 93 yards for a score, and Jake Whitifield chipped in 86 total yards and an interception for the Knights (10-4).
Lewis Dilts ran for a touchdown and threw for another tally, leading No.5 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard to a 29-20 victory over top-ranked and previously unbeaten Gibson Southern. Gabe Coleman added 106 yards on the ground, and Jarrod Stiver added 87 yards rushing and one score to lift the Trojans (10-3) to their first state finals appearance since 2012. Nick Sellers tossed for 204 yards and ran for 71 yards and three touchdowns for the Titans (13-1), who turned the football over eight times, including six fumbles.
CLASS 2A
Stuart Glascow rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns, leading No. 6 Whiting to its first semistate crown with a 14-7 victory over No. 4 and previously unbeaten Woodlan. Glascow's two-yard scamper in the third quarter snapped a 7-7 tie and helped the Oilers (13-1) clinch their first trip to the state finals. Mitchell VanBrocklin ran for 106 yards, Justin Durkes had a six-yard scoring run and Jordan Delagrange added 10 tackles for the Warriors (13-1).
Jaden Rhea's five-yard touchdown scamper early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as No. 3 Monrovia held on for a 37-31 win over No. 8 Indianapolis Howe. Rhea carried the ball 21 times for 216 yards and three score to push the Bulldogs (13-1) to their 13th straight win and a spot in the state title game for the first time since 2009. Garrison Lee added 27 touches for 119 yards and Dalton Smith added 114 yards and two scores on 17 attempts for Monrovia. Sophomore Justin Johnson completed 13-of-21 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for 70 yards for the Hornets (10-4), who were making their first appearance in the semistate. Tyrell Phelps added six receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score, while Dontea Henderson had four catches for 132 yards and one tally for Howe.
CLASS 1A
Jackson Anthrop scampered 19 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns, leading top-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic to a 45-6 triumph over No. 11 Northfield. Anthrop also returned an interception 50 yards for a score, and Jacob Page recorded 11 tackles as the Knights (14-0) built up a 21-0 cushion after the opening period to go back to the title game for the first time since 2012. Drake Richter accounted for 100 total yards, including a 20-yards scoring strike to Dylan Brown, for the Norsemen (8-6), who were making their first semistate appearance.
Tyler Meurer, Garrett Mason, and Pierce Jackson all rushed for at least 100 yards as No. 3 Linton-Stockton knocked off No. 5 and defending state champion North Vermillion, 56-27. Meurer had 14 carries for 132 yards and four touchdowns and also completed 3-of-6 passes for 55 yards and one tally as the Miners (13-1) seized command with a 21-point fourth quarter outburst reach the state final for the first time in nine tries. Mason added 15 carries for 102 yards and Jackson chipped 100 yards and two scores on 14 attempts. Cody Wright tossed for 163 yards and one score and rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns for the Falcons (12-2), who suffered both of their losses to Linton-Stockton.
