The road to Lucas Oil Stadium has just one more stop: Semistate.
IndyStar has your covered across Indiana — from South Bend to Evansville—with recaps, highlights, photos and mare as teams hope they have Thanksgiving weekend plans in Indianapolis.
CLASS 6A: Center Grove 45,Ben Davis 6
Three takeaways from top-ranked Center Grove’s 45-6 victory over visiting Ben Davis in the Class 6A semistate.
Play of the game
Center Grove led 10-6 at halftime and got the ball to start the second half. On a third-and-4 play, Center Grove quarterback Tayven Jackson faked the handoff and sprinted 44 yards for a touchdown and a 17-6 lead with 8:27 left in the third quarter. The quarterback run game was a big part of Center Grove’s offense, especially in the second half. Jackson finished with 104 yards on eight carries, none bigger than the 44-yard TD run. The floodgates opened after that play.
Turning point
There were two punt blocks by Center Grove, one by Jalen Thomeson in the first half and another by Jackson Schott in the second half. Both set up touchdowns for the Trojans. Schott’s felt like the dagger. One play after the blocked punt, Daniel Weems burst through a wide-open hole for a 17-yard touchdown run to give Center Grove a 24-6 lead midway through the third quarter.
Standout performer
Center Grove coach Eric Moore called his defense a “championship defense” and certainly feels like it after watching the Trojans dominate up front on a weekly basis. Ben Davis threw 51 passes, but Center Grove allowed just 219 yards passing and forced three turnovers. Caden Curry had two more tackles for loss and Jackson Griffin returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown. Defense travels. And it will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium next weekend as defending champion Center Grove makes its third consecutive appearance in the Class 6A state finals. -- Kyle Neddenriep
Insider:No team has ever repeated in 6A. But few have dominated like this Center Grove team has.
Ben Davis 0 6 0 0 — 6
Center Grove 7 3 21 14 — 45
Scoring plays
CG — Micah Coyle 5 run (Nolan Foley kick)
BD — Donell Mason 26 pass from J’Uan Swanson (run failed)
CG — Foley 28 FG
CG — Tayven Jackson 44 run (Foley kick)
CG — Daniel Weems 18 run (Foley kick)
CG — Jackson Griffin 32 interception return (Foley kick)
CG — Coyle 9 run (Foley kick)
CG — Weems 39 run (Foley kick)
Rushing— Ben Davis: Swanson 6-26, Chris Patterson 1-4, Alijah Price 3-3. Center Grove: Weems 21-113, Jackson 8-104, Coyle 14-68, Caden Curry 2-4.
Passing— Ben Davis: Swanson 25-51-2 219. Center Grove: Jackson 3-8-0 69.
Receiving— Ben Davis: Brady Simmons 8-110, Mason 7-63, Dillon Moore 5-46, Lincoln Murff 1-6, Marques Reese 1-4, Price 1-0. Center Grove: Brandon Wheat 2-58, Harrison Stomps 1-11.
CLASS 6A: Westfield 48,Merrillville 19
Westfield secured a rematch with Center Grove in the Class 6A championship bout in demonstrative fashion Friday night, blasting Merrillville 48-19. Here’s what you need to know.
Turning point
After weathering Westfield’s initial onslaught (13 points in about four minutes), Merrillville found is footing and fought back, keeping their opponent off the scoreboard until the offense finally broke through with a 34-yard touchdown run that made it a six-point game with 5:55 left in the half.
Maximus Webster and the Shamrocks offense were ready with a response.
The senior quarterback led the team on an 11-play, 63-yard drive that was jump started by a third-down conversion through the air around midfield, and was completed with a direct snap to tailback Micah Hauser for a 3-yard touchdown run.
The hosts had answered the visitors’ initial score in kind and effectively reclaimed control.
Play of the game
This 39-yard Hauser touchdown run late in the third quarter was art. He shimmies through one tackle, then smashes the spin button as he breaches the open field. From there, it’s off to the races.
Player of the game
Hauser. Hauser was unstoppable Friday night, rushing for three touchdowns and doing most of the heavy lifting on two of the Shamrocks’ other scoring drives. -- Brian Haenchen
Hauser leads Westfield back to state:'He's the best all-around football player in Indiana.'
Merrillville 0 7 0 12 — 19
Westfield 13 7 14 14 — 48
Scoring plays
W — Micah Hauser 30 run (Caleb King kick)
W — Maximus Webster 21 run (kick blocked)
M — Lavarion Logan 34 run (Jaiden Almaraz kick)
W — Hauser 3 run (King kick)
W — Webster 1 run (King kick)
W — Hauser 39 run (King kick)
M — Logan 2 run (run failed)
W — Trevon Hatchett 48 run (King kick)
W — Anthony Feltrinelli 34 interception return (Brody Boehm kick)
M — Justin Marshall 72 run (pass failed)
Rushing — Westfield: Hauser 16-171, Webster 11-79, Trevon Hatchett 6-63, Jackson Wasserstrom 1-5, Ja’Veyon Averitte 1-4, Brock Stewart 1-2. Merrillville: Logan 29-169, Marshall 10-148, Jakar Ward 1-5, Angel Nelson 7-(minus-26).
Passing — Westfield: Webster 7-9-0, 78. Merrillville: Nelson 9-20-1, 74.
Receiving — Westfield: Nic Depasquale 3-42, Aramboles 2-26, Ian Bruch 1-8, Hauser 1-2. Merrillville: Jeremiah Roberts 2-21, Silas Mathis 2-19, Ward 1-12, Logan 1-10, Payton Young 1-7, Tyrese Frazier 2-5.
CLASS 5A: Cathedral 52,New Albany 13
New Albany 7 0 6 0 — 13
Cathedral 28 17 7 0 — 52
Scoring plays
C — Jaron Tibbs 11 pass from Danny O’Neil (Ben Gomez kick)
C — Gavin Crooke 21 interception return (Gomez kick)
NA — DeJon Winburn 30 pass from Derell Simmons (Fleming kick)
C — Carson Johnson 11 run (Gomez kick)
C — O’Neil 1 run (Gomez kick)
C — O’Neil 2 run (Gomez kick)
C — Gomez 23 FG
C — Tazz Garrett 4 pass from O’Neil (Gomez kick)
C — Andrew Ditto 1 run (Gomez kick)
NA — DaQuan High 30 pass from Simmons (kick blocked)
Rushing — Cathedral: Johnson 23-233, Hosia Smith 8-641, Colin Ayres 6-24, Jacob Bourdenent 3-20, Ditto 1-1, Christian Klugg 1-0, Zach Miller 1-(minus-4), Patrick Mazur 2-(minus-6), O’Neil 4-(minus-12). New Albany: Keyondre Winford 7-39, Myles Johnson 7-7, Simmons 6-(minus-4).
Passing — Cathedral: O’Neil 11-16-0, 132; Ty Carroll 1-1-0, 13; Justin Sage 1-1-0, 6; Team 0-1-0, 0. New Albany: Simmons 12-28-2, 196; Winburn 0-1-1, 0.
Receiving — Cathedral: Garrett 4-45, Michael Page 2-42, Tibbs 2-20, Daniel Hughes 2-19, Kyle Zundome 2-19, Brennan Wooten 1-6. New Albany: Winburn 4-100, Ja’raylan Johnson 4-23, High 3-46, Winford 1-15.
'Next guy up':Carson Johnson shines for Cathedral in semistate win over New Albany
CLASS 5A:Zionsville 52, Michigan City 21
Play of the Game
Christian Abney’s 2-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the game for Zionsville. Abney’s ball fake caught Michigan City off guard. The score, which gave Zionsville a 7-3 lead, established the Eagles’ dominance. It was an 11-play 74-yard drive. All of it came on the ground and Gage Bankert had 65 of the 74 yards in the 52-21 victory over Michigan City.
Turning point
That would be the 73-yard touchdown pass caught by senior tight end Gunnar Hartwig from Christian Abney. Hartwig crawled over the back of a Michigan City defensive back on the underthrown ball and grabbed it off his back. That first-quarter TD gave the Eagles a 14-3 lead with 1:03 left in the first quarter. It was a one-play drive, and it was proof that Zionsville didn’t need to hand the ball off to Gage Bankert to score.
Player of the Game
It’s hard not to go with Bankert again. He finished with 206 yards rushing on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Bankert, a 5-8, 168-pound senior, is the backup to Colin Price. Price is out with a hamstring injury. Zionsville coach Scott Turnquist said he hopes to have Price back next week for the Class 5A State Championship game against Cathedral. -- Mike Hutton, for IndyStar
More:A big play, and a really big offensive line, propels Zionsville to rematch vs. Cathedral
Zionsville 14 14 14 10 -- 52
Michigan City 3 6 6 6 — 21
Scoring plays
MC — Andrew Oleksiuk 31 FG
Z — Christian Abney 2 run (A.J. Vinatieri kick)
Z — Gunnar Hartwig 73 pass from Abney (Vinatieri kick)
MC — Giovani Laurent 21 pass from Tyler Bush (pass failed)
Z — Gage Bankert 16 run (Vinatieri kick)
Z — Trey Firestone 11 pass from Abney (Vinatieri kick)
Z — Hartwig 3 pass from Luke Murphy (Vinatieri kick)
MC — Omarion Hatch 77 pass from Bush (pass failed)
MC — Laurent 11 pass from Bush (pass failed)
Z — Vinatieri 26 FG
Z — Case Anderson 17 run (Vinatieri kick)
Rushing — Zionsville: Bankert 20-246, Hanson Hinshaw 8-87, Abney 6-54, Case Anderson 1-17, Nick Yockey 1-4, Luke Spencer 1-0. Michigan City: Racion Anderson 15-51, Hatch 5-18, Bush 3-6, Makiyel Woodard 1-1.
Passing — Zionsville: Abney 8-13-0, 146; Murphy 2-2-0, (minus-6). Michigan City: Tyler Bush 18-34-0, 322.
Receiving — Zionsville: Hartwig 3-76, Firestone 6-65, Abney 1-(minus-1). Michigan City: Hatch 8-229, Laurent 7-72, James Symons 1-11, Treylen Simmons 1-8, R. Anderson 1-2.
CLASS 4A: Mt. Vernon 42, Evansville Memorial 28
Mt. Vernon 7 21 7 7 — 42
Evansville Memorial 14 14 0 0 — 28
Scoring plays
EM — Ray Brodie 4 run (Nico Brougham kick)
MV — Ashden Gentry 45 pass from Gehrig Slunaker (Ethan Yeley kick)
EM — Dominic Norman 7 pass from Caleb Ellspermann (Brougham kick)
MV — Keagan LaBelle 4 run (Yeley kick)
EM — Leo Collins 22 pass from Ellspermann (Brougham kick)
MV — Travon Hagler 6 run (Yeley kick)
MV — Avery Williams 85 interception return (Yeley kick)
EM — Ellspermann 1 run (Brougham kick)
MV — LaBelle 17 run (Yeley kick)
MV —LaBelle 40 run (Yeley kick)
Rushing — Mt. Vernon: Keagan LaBelle 21-146, George Burhenn 2-5, Travon Hegler 2-0, Team 2-2. Evansville Memorial: Brodie 16-123, Xavier Tyler 8-58, Josh Russell 1-5, Ellspermann 5-1.
Passing — Mt. Vernon: Gehrig Slunaker 16-25-0, 206. Evansville Memorial: Caleb Ellspermann 12-26-1, 133.
Receiving — Mt. Vernon: Gentry 8-111, George Burhenn 2-30, Eli Bridenthal 3-29, Team 3-36. Evansville Memorial: Norman 4-48, Collins 3-33, Brodie 2-30, Jack Brackett 1-17, Tyler 2-5.
More:Mt. Vernon ends Memorial's season, heads to state next
CLASS 3A: Brebeuf Jesuit 17, Mishawaka Marian 16
MISHAWAKA – Matt Geske’s No. 3 Brebeuf Jesuit rallied in the second half with 10 unanswered points, the final three on Ryan Kersteff’s 20-yard field goal with 8:12 remaining, to beat coach Mike Davidson’s No. 12 Marian Knights in the Class 3A northern semistate Friday night at Bob Otolski Field.
Top performer
Brebeuf Jesuit’s junior quarterback Nolan Buckman threw for 300 yards on 25-of-38 passing and two touchdowns – a 37-yard strike in the second quarter to Max Walters on fourth down and a 40-yard touchdown in the third quarter to Anthony Annee that began the rally from a 16-7 deficit. Receivers Max Walters had nine receptions for 127 yards and Anthony Annee caught six for 89.
Drive of the game
Taking over at their own 20 with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter, Brebeuf used up 5:18 of the clock with 17 plays to set up Kersteff’s game-winning 20-yard field goal.
Statistics
Brebeuf totaled 399 yards – 300 passing and 99 yards on the ground – and held the host Knights. Marian quarterback Bryce LaSane completed 16 of 30 passes for 154 yards and one touchdown – a 6-yard pass to Brady Hoskins in the second quarter.
Key loss
Marian running back Kapafule Lusanga, who entered the game with seven straight 100-yard games, suffered a lower leg injury early in the third quarter and did not return. He finished with 39 yards on 10 carries. Michael Murphy replaced him and had 28 yards on nine carries, including a 1-yard run that gave Marian a 16-7 lead with 3:34 left in the third quarter.– John Fineran, South Bend Tribune Correspondent
More:No. 3 Brebeuf survives Marian to advance to Class 3A state title game
Brebeuf Jesuit 0 7 7 3 — 17
Mishawaka Marian 0 7 9 0 — 16
Scoring plays
B — Max Walters 37 pass from Nolan Buckman (Ryan Kersteff kick)
MM — Brady Hoskins 6 pass from Bryce LaSane (Alec Markley kick)
MM — Markley 33 FG
MM — Michael Murphy 1 run (kick failed)
B — Anthony Annee 40 pass from Buckman (Kersteff kick)
B — Kersteff 19 FG
Rushing — Brebeuf: Jack Maiers 15-60, Buckman 15-49, Clark Sweet 2-3, Jeremiah Jackson 1-(minus-2). Mishawaka Marian: Kapafule Lusanga 10-39, Murphy 9-28, LaSane 5-8, Greg Atkinson 1-4, Caden Kenton 1-0.
Passing — Brebeuf: Buckman 25-38-1, 297. Mishawaka Marian: LaSane 16-30-1, 154.
Receiving — Brebeuf: Walters 9-122, Annee 5-83, Rob Tuttle 2-38, Jaren Bowling 5-31, Maiers 4-23. Mishawaka Marian: Hoskins 6-47, Gabe Kerr 4-37, Kenton 3-33, Atkinson 2-13, Team 1-24.
CLASS 3A: Gibson Southern 44, Tri-West 7
Gibson Southern is headed to its first state championship after winning 44-7 over Tri-West in Saturday’s Class 3A semistate. The Titans have now used a running clock in all but one of their victories this season.
Turning point
Gibson Southern scored on the opening drive, needing just four plays to go 65 yards as Brady Allen connected with Brayden Malone for an 11-yard touchdown. The Titans scored again on their next offensive play when Allen completed a 67-yard pass to Kaden Hurless for another score. They led by double figures the rest of the way.
Play of the game
That second Allen touchdown pass made him the IHSAA’s all-time career leader.
Player of the game
Allen completed 28-of-44 passes for 385 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, plus he ran for another score. He moved up tosecond on the IHSAA career passing yards list. – Kyle Sokeland
More:Purdue-bound 'All-American kid' Brady Allen passes Gibson Southern to first state finals
CLASS 2A: Evansville Mater Dei 23, Scecina 7
Scecina's shot at its first state football championship in 30 years came to an end a game short on Friday night against an overwhelming Evansville Mater Dei team.
The Crusaders (10-4) were held to negative yards and no first downs in the first half as the seventh-ranked Wildcats (12-2) rolled to a 23-7 win in a Class 2A semi-state game.
Mater Dei will play either Eastside or Andrean for the state championship next Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Play of the game
On the Wildcats’ first drive of the game and the ball at the Scecina 36, Mater Dei quarterback Mason Wunderlich targeted receiver Eli McDurmon down field. At the 10-yard line, McDurmon made a spectacular play by taking a would-be interception right out of a Scecina defender’s hands for a touchdown.
Turning point
Despite the inability to move the ball offensively, Scecina trailed just 9-0 late in the first half thanks to a strong effort from the Crusaders’ defense. But everything changed in the matter of seconds. Mater Dei star receiver Bryce Humphrey caught two touchdowns from Wunderlich in a span of 12 seconds to help give Mater Dei a 23-0 lead at halftime. After Humphrey scored the first touchdown on a 13-yard reception with 31 seconds to play in the half, Mater Dei recovered a squib kick on the kickoff. On the next play from the 30, Wunderlich again found Humphrey for a touchdown.
Standout performer
For Mater Dei, Humphrey, a 5-11, 175-pound senior receiver caught five passes for 54 yards and a pair of touchdowns. For the Crusaders, senior David Mendez recorded two interceptions. -- Tom Moor, for IndyStar
More:Scecina's state title hopes run into a brick wall named Evansville Mater Dei
Mater Dei 9 14 0 0 — 23
Scecina 0 0 7 0 — 7
Scoring plays
MD — Eli McDurmon 39 pass from Mason Wunderlich (kick failed)
MD — Tyler Sitzman 34 FG
MD — Bryce Humphrey 10 pass from Wunderlich (Sitzman kick)
MD — Humphrey 30 pass from Wunderlich (Sitzman kick)
S — Luke Soutz 20 pass from Aidan Ray (Alex Mendoza kick)
Rushing — Scecina: Dequan Stennis 5-19, Brandon Fitts-Ramsey 1-2, DJ Mendez 3-1, Christian Meriweather 3-(minus-2), Aidan Ray 10-(minus-13). Mater Dei: Joey Pierre 24-55, Humphrey 3-9, McDurmon 1-1, Wunderlich 9-(minus-13).
Passing — Scecina: Ray 8-21-0, 123. Mater Dei: Wunderlcih 12-23-3, 160.
Receiving — Soultz 5-78, Anden Glawatz 2-36, Mason Beriault 1-8. Mater Dei: Humphrey 5-52, McDurmon 2-52, Drew Martin 2-44, Luke McDurmon 1-10, Ethan Stolz 1-7, Pierre 1-(minus-5).
CLASS A: Lutheran 56, Tri 13
Montasi Clay ran for three touchdowns and threw for three more -- all of at least 40 yards -- to lift the unbeaten No. 1 Saints (14-0) to an easy triumph over the Titans (11-3). The victory gives Lutheran a shot at the Class A state title that eluded them in 2019 by a single point against Lafayette Central Catholic.
Play of the Game
Clay is one of the most dynamic runners in the state, but the senior signal caller showed he can move the ball through the air against Tri. Early in the fourth quarter from the Tri39-yard line, the Saints QB dropped a perfectly-placed ball into Jake Pasch's arms as a defensive back committed pass inference.Pasch had to wait for the ball to reach him, but he maintained focus, fought off the defender, held onto the ball and lunged into the end zone.
Turning Point
Tri started the game with a methodical 16-play scoring drive. The visitors' offense stayed hot with Gary Paullbreaking off a 88-yard touchdown run on theirnext offensive play. The Titans looked like they could move the ball at will against the Saints, but Lutheran took a 14-13 lead on its next drive and the Titans did not score again. Clay short touchdown run with 1:01 left in the second quarter proved to be the winner.
Player of the Game
Montasi Clay. For someone who considers himself more of an athlete than a quarterback, Montasi Clay sure looked like the complete package against Tri. Clay went 7-for-8 for 157 yards and three scores through the he air. He added 15 carries for 240 yards and three scores rushing. The big night on the ground brings Clay to within 100 yards of a 2000-2000 season. -- Akeem Glaspie
More:Montasi Clay's 6 touchdowns send Lutheran back to Class A state title game
Tri 13 0 0 0 — 13
Lutheran 7 14 21 14 — 56
Scoring plays
T — Parker Burk 3 run (Mason Moffett kick)
L — Joe Davis 6 run (Kyle Stewart kick)
T — Burk 83 run (kick failed)
L — Montasi Clay 10 run (Stewart kick)
L — Clay 5 run (Stewart kick)
L — Micah Mackay 45 pass from Clay (Stewart kick)
L — Clay 40 run (Stewart kick)
L — Brandon Brooks 49 pass from Clay (Stewart kick)
L — Jake Pasch 40 pass from Clay (Stewart kick)
L — Braydon Hall 2 run (Nate Hughes kick)
Rushing — Tri: Parker Burk 18-61, Mason Wilson 7-27, Gary Paull 9-100, Christian McLemore 8-16. Lutheran: Joe Davis 11-68, DaVuan Jones 1-14, Clay 15-240, Pasch 2-18, Braydon Hall 5-46.
Passing — Tri: Wilson 0-2-1 (minus-2). Lutheran: Clay 7-8 157, Jackson Willis 0-1.
Receiving — Tri: Grant Cash 1-(minus-2); Lutheran: Mackay 2-54, Jones 1-3, Pasch 3-51, Brooks 1-49.
IHSAA football semistate schedule
CLASS 6A
Westfield 48,Merrillville 19
Center Grove 45, Ben Davis 6
CLASS 5A
Zionsville 52, Michigan City 21
Cathedral 52, New Albany 13
CLASS 4A
Northridge 20, New Prairie 14
Mt. Vernon 42, Evansville Memorial 28
CLASS 3A
Brebeuf Jesuit 17, Mishawaka Marian 16
Gibson Southern at Tri-West, 5 p.m. Saturday
CLASS 2A
Andrean 17,Eastside 14
Evansville Mater Dei 23,Scecina 7
CLASS A
Adams Central 42, North Judson 7
Lutheran 56, Tri 13
More on Lutheran:Montasi Clay might not call himself a QB. But he's performing like one
Indiana high school football state finals schedule
(Times are approximate because you know there's no way those 7 p.m. games actually start at 7 p.m.)
Friday, Nov. 26
noon — Class A: Lutheran vs. Adams Central
3:30 p.m. —Class 3A: Brebeuf Jesuit vs. TBD
7 p.m. — Class 5A: Cathedral vs. Zionsville
Saturday, Nov. 27
noon — Class 2A: Evansville Mater Dei vs. Andrean
3:30 p.m. — Class 4A: Mt. Vernon vs. Northridge
7 p.m. — Class 6A: Center Grove vs. Westfield
