THE INDIANA FOOTBALL DIGEST'S INSIDER – 2016 PRE-SEASON
BY PAUL CONDRY AND MATT KOPSEA
LOOKING BACK AT 2015
CLASS 1A
Jackson Anthrop rambled 32 times for 149 as top-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic completed its perfect season with a 34-7 triumph over No. 3 Linton-Stockton. Avery Denhart threw for 193 yards and one touchdown, and Luke Fusiek hauled in four receptions for 130 yards and one score as the Knights (15-0) raced out to a 17-0 lead on their way to winning their seventh state title. Brandon Yeagy added three trips to the end zone, while Ethan Schrader and D'Mitri George recorded nine tackles apiece for Central Catholic. Tyler Meurer tossed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Clothier, while Pierce Jackson added 10 tackles and an interception for the Miners (13-2), who were making their first appearance in the state finals. Dylan Morris of Linton-Stockton was named the winner of the Blake Ress mental attitude award.
CLASS 2A
Dalton Smith and Jaden Rhea both scored a pair of touchdowns and ran for more than 100 yards, leading No. 3 Monrovia to a 33-6 victory over No. 6 Whiting. Smith carried the football 13 times for 167 yards, while Rhea added 122 yards on 19 attempts as the Bulldogs (14-1) rolled up 373 yards on the ground to claim their first state championship in any sport. Bryce Hale tallied eight tackles for Monrovia, which outscored Whiting, 19-0, in the second half. Stuart Glascow accounted for 200 total yards of offense, Thomas Davenport had a one-yard scoring run, and Martin Petruf racked up 16 tackles for the Oilers (13-2), who were playing in the title game for the first time. Monrovia's John Williams was chosen as the winner of the Blake Ress mental attitude award.
CLASS 3A
Gabe Coleman accumulated 118 yards rushing and one touchdown as No. 5 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard earned its state-record 13th championship with a 31-7 victory over No. 3 West Lafayette. Jarrod Stiver added 108 yards and one score on 10 carries, and John Chavis chipped in 77 yards and one tally as the Trojans (11-3) rolled up 331 yards on the ground to erase an early 7-0 deficit. Peter Treesh added 10 tackles and a fumble recovery for Bishop Chatard. Mikey Kidwell tossed for 140 yards, including a six-yard scoring strike to Matt Marley, and Travis Rolle tallied 146 yards rushing for the Red Devils (13-2). Henry Terhune recorded 10 tackles and an interception, and Nate Merriott added 10 stops for West Lafayette. Jack Folkers of West Lafayette was the recipient of the Blake Ress mental attitude award.
CLASS 4A
Amaun Clark raced for 138 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries, helping No. 3 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger roll to a 27-3 over No. 9 East Central. Trailing 3-0 at halftime, the Saints (14-1) finally got on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter on a 24-yard scamper by Clark. Blake Podschlne added 115 yards passing and a score on the ground to help Bishop Dwenger to its first title since 1991. Nick Stidham converted a 20-yard field goal, while Sidney Fox recorded seven tackles for the Trojans (12-3), who were limited to 172 total yards and in the finals for the first time since 1994. East Central's Connor Lynch was the winner of the Phil N. Eskew mental attitude award.
CLASS 5A
Isaac Stiebeling's three-yard touchdown run with eight seconds left helped No. 5 Fort Wayne Snider rally for a 64-61 win over top-ranked and defending Class 4A state champion New Palestine. The contest saw 14 team and individual state finals records either broken or tied, including most points (125), and total yards (1,302). Stiebeling threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, ran for three scores, and also caught a touchdown pass as the Panthers (13-1) built up a 42-14 cushion, only to have the Dragons (13-1) roar back to take a 49-42 lead early in the fourth quarter. David Turner had six catches for 125 yards and one score, Mac Hippenhammer added six receptions for 109 yards and one score, and Malik Bramley chipped in five catches for 98 yards and one score, a 37-yard touchdown pass, and a 65-yard kickoff return for Snider, which earned its first title since 1992. Alex Neligh, who was the recipient of the Phil N. Eskew mental attitude award, completed 20-of-33 passes for 501 yards and four touchdowns and ran 28 times for 166 yards and four scores for the Dragons, who saw their 28-game winning streak halted. Duke Blackwell caught 10 passes for 328 yards and three scores, and Logan Greene added a touchdown catch and a 20-yard fumble recovery for another tally for New Palestine.
CLASS 6A
Titus McCoy proved to be a workhorse with 27 rushes for 193 yards and three touchdowns in top-ranked Center Grove's 28-16 win over No. 3 Penn. McCoy scored on runs of 38, one, and one yard to lead the Trojans (14-0) to their second championship and first since 2008. Joey Siderewicz completed all five of his pass attempts, including a six-yard connection to Triston Clark in the second quarter to give Center Grove a 14-0 lead. Camden Bohn passed for 139 yards and one touchdown and ran for 77 yards and one tally for the Kingsmen (12-2), who were back in the finals for the first time since 2011. Kobe Woods added 13 tackles and Parker Adkins had 10 stops for Penn. The Harvard-bound Bohn was also the winner of the Phil N. Eskew mental attitude award.
CHAMPIONS APLENTY
Here is the last time these clubs started 15-0: Lafayette Central Catholic (2011). Last time staring 14-0: Center Grove (first time).
2015 STATE CHAMPS BY CONFERENCE:Hoosier: Lafayette Central Catholic; Indiana Crossroads: Monrovia; Metropolitan: Center Grove; Summit Athletic: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne Snider; Independents: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard.
Prior to 2015, here is the last time these clubs won a state title: CLASS 6A: Center Grove (2008), CLASS 5A: Fort Wayne Snider (1992), CLASS 4A: Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (1991), CLASS 3A: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (2012), CLASS 2A: Monrovia (none), CLASS 1A: Lafayette Central Catholic (2011)
ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
Here are some of the team and individual records either set or tied in the state championship games.
CLASS 6A TEAM RECORDS
Most rushing yards (312) – Center Grove
Most passing yards (139) – Penn
Fewest pass attempts (5) – Center Grove
Fewest pass completions (5) Tied – Center Grove
Fewest passing yards allowed (21) – Penn
Fewest offensive plays allowed (52) – both teams
Most first downs by rushing (15) – Center Grove
Most first downs by passing (8) – Penn
Most interceptions (1) Tied – Center Grove
CLASS 6A INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Most points (18) -Titus McCoy, Center Grove
Most touchdowns (3) -Titus McCoy, Center Grove
Most rushing attempts (27) - Titus McCoy, Center Grove
Most rushing yards (193) - Titus McCoy, Center Grove
Most rushing touchdowns (3) - Titus McCoy, Center Grove
Longest touchdown run (38) Tied - Titus McCoy, Center Grove
Most passing yards (139) - Camden Bohn, Penn
Longest pass completion (27) - Camden Bohn, Penn
Most receptions (6) - John Ohlson, Penn
Most receiving yards (75) - John Ohlson, Penn
Most touchdown receptions (1) Tied - James Iapalucci, Penn and Triston Clark, Center Grove
Longest Punt Return (17) - Will Smithey, Center Grove
Most Interceptions (1) Tied - Tyler Pence, Center Grove
CLASS 5A TEAM RECORDS
Most combined points (125) 5A and overall
Most touchdowns (9) – F.W. Snider
Most extra-points (8) – F.W. Snider
Most passing yards (501) 5A and overall – New Palestine
Total offensive yards (757) 5A and overall – New Palestine
Total combined offensive yards (1,302) 5A & Overall New Palestine (757) and F.W. Snider (545)
Most first downs (30) 5A & overall – New Palestine
Most kickoff return yards (168) – F.W. Snider
CLASS 5A INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
Most touchdowns (4) Tied - Alex Neligh, New Palestine
Most extra-points (8) Tied - Paul Buisman, New Palestine
Most rushing touchdowns (4) Tied - Alex Neligh, New Palestine
Most passing yards (501) 5A and overall - Alex Neligh, New Palestine
Receiving yards (328) 5A and overall - Duke Blackwell, New Palestine
Receiving touchdowns (3) Tied 5A and overall - Duke Blackwell, New Palestine
CLASS 4A TEAM RECORDS:Most interceptions (4) Tied – Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger
CLASS 2A TEAM RECORDS:Fewest pass completions (0) Tied – Monrovia. Fewest passing yards allowed (0) Tied - Whiting
CLASS 1A TEAM RECORDS:Most Field Goals (2) Tied - Lafayette Central Catholic
CLASS 1A INDIVIDUAL RECORDS:Most Field Goals (2) Tied - Sam Milazzo, Lafayette Central Catholic
2015 LEADERS OF THE PACK (Information provided by Max Preps)
PASSING YARDS: Mikey Kidwell (West Lafayette) 3,206, Dayne Keller (Castle) 3,119, Brandon Peters (Avon) 3,103, Nick Sellers (Gibson Southern) 3,084, Luke Johnston (Southport) 2,974, Devon Colonis (Lafayette Jeff) 2,872, Alex Neligh (New Palestine) 2,852, Matt Moorman (Oldenburg Academy) 2,819, Trey Powell (Sullivan) 2,817, Baylee Adams (North Montgomery) 2,749, Jake Hill (Tri-West) 2,739, Ryan Pepiot (Westfield) 2,734, Drew Keszei (Homestead) 2,618, Tyler White (South Bend Washington) 2,559, Hunter Johnson (Brownsburg) 2,545.
RUSHING YARDS:Zach Mills (Delta) 2,424, Travis Rolle (West Lafayette) 2,391, Jackson Anthrop (Lafayette Central Catholic) 2,247, Alex Neligh (New Palestine) 2,097, Austin Kopp (Corydon Central) 2,083, Jaden Rhea (Monrovia) 2,048, Will Jones (Lapel) 2,032, Ike James (Lowell) 1,931, Titus McCoy (Center Grove) 1,912, Andre Wells (Muncie Central) 1,907, Mitchell VanBrocklin (Woodlan) 1,896, Gabe Coleman (Indianapolis Bishop Chatard) 1,887, Caden Fields (North Knox) 1,839, Jeff Graham (Eastern Greene) 1,838.
RECEIVING YARDS:Noah McClean (Castle) 1,499, Daniel Ricksy (Lafayette Jeff) 1,361, Blake Evans (Southport) 1,325, Andrew Griffin (Avon) 1,295, Mitchell Hahn (Delta) 1,253, Austin Durham (Attica) 1,198, Duke Blackwell (New Palestine) 1,148, Mike Wandstrat (Oldenburg Academy) 1,134, Ryan Topper (Bremen) 1,115, Jackson Pokorney (Evansville Mater Dei) 1,073, Tim Echoles (Hammond) 1,072, Austin Krider (Homestead) 1,061, Tyler Kirtz (Brownsburg) 1,057, Montrez Hearon (Beech Grove) 1,046, Devion Zachary (North Montgomery) 1,039.
TOTAL YARDS: Alex Neligh (New Palestine) 4,949, Nick Sellers (Gibson Southern) 3,692, Mike Kidwell (West Lafayette) 3,537, Logan Harmeson (Attica) 3,447, Jeff Graham (Eastern Greene) 3,346, Baylee Adams (North Montgomery) 3,317, Ryan Pepiot (Westfield) 3,292, Drew Keszei (Homestead) 3,289, Brandon Peters (Avon) 3,238, Luke Patton (East Central) 3,209, Chase Andries (Beech Grove) 3,111, Luke Johnston (Southport) 3,104, Devon Moore (Hammond) 3,085, Cody Wright (North Vermillion) 3,079, Devon Colonis (Lafayette Jeff) 3,067.
SCORING:Jackson Anthrop (Lafayette Central Catholic) 334 points, Jacob Earl (North Vermillion) 256, Kiante Enis (Winchester) 254, Dalton Smith (Monrovia) 229, Alex Neligh (New Palestine) 222, Jaden Rhea (Monrovia) 214, Zach Mills (Delta) 198, Luke Patton (East Central) 198, Austin Kopp (Corydon Central) 188, Titus McCoy (Center Grove) 184, Wes Cook (Tri-West) 182, Tyler Meurer (Linton-Stockton) 182, Drayke Richardt (Evansville Mater Dei) 180, Dante Paulone (Indiana Deaf) 174, Luke Elliott (Eastbrook) 174, Ike James (Lowell) 174.
HEAD OF THE CLASS
ALL-TIME LEADERS IN PLAYOFF WINS: Fort Wayne Bishop Luers - 122-22 (.847), Indianapolis Bishop Chatard – 117-23 (.836), Carmel – 113-32 (.779), Indianapolis Cathedral – 111-22 (.835), Penn – 110-32 (.775), Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 103-31 (.769), Indianapolis Roncalli - 100-27 (.787), Fort Wayne Snider – 99-32 (.756), Jimtown – 98-30 (.766), Ben Davis - 97-24 (.802), Sheridan – 94-27 (.777), Hobart - 92-33 (.736), Evansville Mater Dei - 89-32 (.736), NorthWood - 87-33 (.725), Warren Central - 82-24 (.774)
BEST COMBINED RECORD DURING 2014-2015;New Palestine (28-1), Evansville Mater Dei (26-2), North Vermillion (27-2), Columbus East (24-2), Pioneer (25-3), Penn (24-3), Bloomington South (22-3), Gibson Southern (23-3), Whiting (23-3), Carmel (23-4), Linton-Stockton (24-4), Jasper (20-4), Plymouth (21-4), Tri-Central (20-3), Brownstown Central (20-4), Tri-West (22-5), Lafayette Central Catholic (25-4), Monrovia (25-4), Andrean (21-5), Center Grove (23-4), Eastern Hancock (20-4), Evansville Reitz (20-4), Heritage Hills (20-4), Winamac (20-4), Fort Wayne Snider (23-4), Leo (20-5), Wheeler (19-4), Winchester (20-5), Woodlan (21-5), Batesville (19-5), Northeastern (18-4), Northview (18-4), West Lafayette (20-5), Kokomo (18-5), Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (19-6).
ALL-TIME STATE CHAMPIONS:Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 13, Indianapolis Cathedral 12, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 11, Sheridan 9, Indianapolis Roncalli 8, Warren Central 8, Ben Davis 8, Carmel 7, Lafayette Central Catholic 7, Penn 5, Franklin Central 4, Hobart 4, Tri-West 4, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 4, Jimtown 4, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 4, Mishawaka Marian 3, Andrean 2, Blackford 2, Bloomington South 2, Bremen 2, Brownsburg 2, Castle 2, Center Grove 2, Columbus East 2, Evansville Reitz 2, Fort Wayne Snider 2, Goshen 2, Indianapolis Scecina 2, Lawrenceburg 2, North Montgomery 2, West Lafayette 2, Zionsville 2.
LONGEST CURRENT WINNING STREAKS
Lafayette Central Catholic has 15 consecutive wins.
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Monrovia, and Center Grove have a 14-game winning streak.
Indianapolis Bishop Chatard and Fort Wayne Snider have both won six straight contests.
Lafayette Central Catholic, Monrovia, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, and Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger have won six straight tournament contests.
Fort Wayne Snider and Center Grove have a five-game tournament winning streak.
LONGEST CURRENT LOSING STREAKS
North Central (Indianapolis) and Wood Memorial have 20 straight losses
Cloverdale has lost 19 straight games on the field.
Frontier and Clarksville have a 15-game losing streak.
Hammond Bishop Noll has lost 14 straight games.
Indianapolis Marshall has dropped 13 straights contests.
Hammond Clark and Prairie Heights have suffered 12 losses in a row.
Blackford, Fort Wayne Wayne, Madison, and Marion have lost 11 consecutive games.
Martinsville and Switzerland County have lost 10 straight games.
LOOKING AHEAD
The IHSAA state football finals will take place on November 25 and 26 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Champions in classes 2A, 4A, and 6A will be determined the first day with classes 1A, 3A, and 5A being crowned the following day.
NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES IN 2016
School Previous Coach New Coach
Andrean Phil Mason Chris Skinner
Batesville Eric Heppner Evan Ulery
Bellmont Larry Getts Marty Ballard
Blackford Steve Rinker Randy Sehy
Bremen Bob Holmes Jordan Leeper
Brown County Ethan Schreiber Randy Minniear
Brownsburg Brett Comer John Hart
Calumet Ivan Zimmer Rik Richards
Cascade Jason Thompson Steve Spinks
Centerville Perry Irwin Kyle Padgett
Central Noble Jeremy Yates Greg Moe
Clarksville Steve Cooley Joby Turner
Clinton Prairie K.C. Woods Michael Clevenger
Crawfordsville Mike Hammons Larry Getts
Crawford County Alan Hess James Bragg/Kevin Mills
Culver Darren Rodriguez Mike Zehner
Danville Russell Sumner K.C. Woods
Decatur Central Justin Dixson Kyle Enright
Delta Grant Zgunda Chris Overholt
Elwood Marty Wells Joe Kwisz
Fort Wayne North Ryan Hall Mike Cochran
Frankfort Mike Quick Joel Sienicki
Gary Roosevelt Ronald White Craig Buckingham
Greenfield-Central Roger Dodson Adam Sherman
Hammond Bishop Noll Paul Douglass Colin McCullough
Hammond Morton Rippy Morales Sean Kinsey
Heritage Dean Lehrman Nico Tigulis
Heritage Christian Ron Qualls Kyle Ray
Indianapolis Broad Ripple Jamie Rickard Ethan Schreiber
Indianapolis Howe Craig Chambers Earnest Tucker
Indianapolis Manual Rufus Sanders Robert Orkman
Indianapolis Marshall James Brown Darnell Bass
Indianapolis Shortridge Christopher Edison Damien Givens
Kankakee Valley Brad Stewart Zach Prairie
Lafayette Jeff Brian Moore Pat Shanley
Lawrence Central Jed Richman Bill Peebles
Lewis Cass Scott Mannering Jeff Phillips
Logansport Brad Urban Mike Johnson
Marion Ryan Vermillion Craig Chambers
Michigan City Mike Karpinski Phil Mason
Milan Rob Page Ryan Langferman
Noblesville Lance Scheib Jason Simmons
Norwell Jeff Miller Josh Gerber
Pendleton Heights John Broughton Jed Richman
Perry Meridian Scott Marsh Matt Henninger
Pioneer Mike Johnson Adam Berry
Portage Wally McCormack Darren Rodriguez
Prairie Heights Eric Heiney Mike Lazusky/Patrick McCrea
Rockville Herb King John Batty
Rochester Mike Zehner Joe Grant
Seeger James Byers Herb King
South Bend Adams Craig Redman Antwon Jones
South Bend Clay Joe Szajko Craig Redman
South Bend Riley Brian Stultz Jarvis Edison
South Bend Saint Joseph Ben Downey Bryon Whitten
South Newton Chris Bell Brad Bevis
Southport Bill Peebles Brandon Winters
Tell City Ronnie Robinson Josh Teague
Tri Adam Kilian Andrew Totheroh
Twin Lakes Justin Gardiner Scott Mannering
Whitko Josh Mohr Jeff Sprunger
WINNINGEST ACTIVE COACHES:Larry "Bud" Wright (Sheridan) 395, Russ Radtke (New Prairie) 330, Mike Gillin (Indian Creek) 299, Bob Gaddis (Columbus East) 277, Mo Moriarity (Bloomington South) 273, Rick Wimmer (Fishers) 241, Tim Roth (Winamac) 235, Bruce Scifres (Indianapolis Roncalli) 233, Jeff Adamson (Eastbrook) 229, Rick Streiff (Indianapolis Cathedral) 228, Reed May (Brownstown Central) 228, Scott Mannering (Twin Lakes) 223, Leroy Marsh (Munster) 218, George Gilbert (Tri-Central) 214, Mike Johnson (Logansport) 214, Vince Lorenzano (Indianapolis Bishop Chatard) 211, Eric Moore (Center Grove) 209, Jim Davis (North White) 208, Scot Shaw (Elkhart Memorial) 200, Kevin O'Shea (Lafayette Central Catholic) 202, Mark Bless (Avon) 199, Mike Goebel (Evansville Mater Dei) 196, , Brett Colby (Kokomo) 188, Bart Curtis (Mishawaka) 185, John Hendryx (Knox) 181, Kirk Kennedy (Franklin County) 179, Sherwood Haydock (Woodlan) 166, Jeff Cain (Whiting) 164, Ott Hurrle (Indianapolis Scecina) 162, Herb King (Seeger) 160, Tim Able (Triton Central) 152.
COACHING MILESTONES
CLOSING IN ON 400:Larry "Bud" Wright (Sheridan) 395
CLOSING IN ON 300:Mike Gillin (Indian Creek) 299
CLOSING IN ON 200:Mark Bless (Avon) 199, Mike Goebel (Evansville Mater Dei) 196
CLOSING IN ON 100:Kevin Mills (Crawford County) 99,* *John Barron (Plymouth) 98, Andy Thomas (Angola) 97, Tom Dilley (Guerin Catholic) 97, Bob Prescott (Peru) 96, Mike Roeder (Northeastern) 96, Brian Glesing (Floyd Central) 95, Steve Stirn (North Decatur) 95, Jim Rowland (New Haven) 94.
