History of the State Championships

The Indiana High School Athletic Association football tournament was born in 1973, with four schools in each of three classes qualifying for post-season play based on regular-season records. The tournament format was expanded several times in the first 10 years, with a fourth class added in 1983 and a fifth class in 1985. It allows for every member school to enter the tournament regardless of its regular-season record, just as in all other IHSAA sports. In 2013, a sixth class was added with the largest 32 schools in 6A, the next 32 largest in 5A, and the remaining schools divided evenly among the other four classes.

Football State Champions

Year Final Score Winning Coach Rec. Runner-Up Coach Rec.
Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis
1985-86 Warren Central 41, Valparaiso 7 Jerry Stauffer 14-0 Mark Hoffman 12-2
1986-87 Carmel 20, Fort Wayne Snider 17 (OT) Jim Belden 14-0 Mike Hawley 13-1
1987-88 Ben Davis 14, Highland 7 Dick Dullaghan 12-2 Dave Shelbourne 9-5
1988-89 Ben Davis 43, Marion 0 Dick Dullaghan 14-0 Mark Surface 13-1
1989-90 Carmel 10, Penn 7 Jim Belden 13-1 Chris Geesman 13-1
1990-91 Ben Davis 37, Marion 3 Dick Dullaghan 13-1 Mark Surface 13-1
1991-92 Ben Davis 38, Penn 14 Dick Dullaghan 14-0 Chris Geesman 13-1
1992-93 Fort Wayne Snider 24, Ben Davis 21 Russ Isaacs 14-0 Dick Dullaghan 12-2
1993-94 Bloomington South 33, Lake Central 27 Mo Moriarity 14-0 Elmer Britton 11-3
RCA Dome, Indianapolis
1994-95 Castle 30, Portage 12 John Lidy 12-2 Craig Buzea 13-1
1995-96 Penn 35, Evansville North 13 Chris Geesman 14-0 Mike Wilson 13-1
1996-97 Penn 17, Ben Davis 14 Chris Geesman 13-1 Dick Dullaghan 12-2
1997-98 Penn 21, Bloomington South 20 Chris Geesman 14-1 Mo Moriarity 14-1
1998-99 Bloomington South 35, Homestead 14 Mo Moriarity 14-0 Cary Cavacini 14-1
1999-00 Ben Davis 27, Penn 3 Dick Dullaghan 15-0 Chris Geesman 13-2
2000-01 Penn 21, Center Grove 0 Chris Geesman 14-1 Eric Moore 13-2
2001-02 Ben Davis 35, Valparaiso 16 Dick Dullaghan 15-0 Mark Hoffman 13-2
2002-03 Ben Davis 31, Fort Wayne Snider 7 Dick Dullaghan 12-3 Russ Isaacs 13-1
2003-04 Warren Central 57, Penn 7 Kevin Wright 13-2 Cory Yeoman 13-2
2004-05 Warren Central 35, Fort Wayne Snider 23 Kevin Wright 14-1 Russ Isaacs 14-1
2005-06 Warren Central 55, Hamilton Southeastern 20 Kevin Wright 14-1 Rob Cutter 11-4
2006-07 Warren Central 35, Carmel 14 Steve Tutsie 15-0 Mo Moriarity 12-3
2007-08 Carmel 16, Pike 7 Mo Moriarity 13-2 Derek Moyers 14-1
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
2008-09 Center Grove 36, Carmel 33 Eric Moore 14-1 Mo Moriarity 13-2
2009-10 Warren Central 42, Carmel 36 (2OT) John Hart 13-2 Mo Moriarity 13-2
2010-11 Fishers 38, Lawrence Central 19 Rick Wimmer 14-1 Jayson West 13-2
2011-12 Carmel 54, Penn 0 Kevin Wright 14-1 Cory Yeoman 14-1
2012-13  Lawrence Central 39, Fort Wayne Snider 14  Jayson West  15-0 Kurt Tippmann  14-1
           
Year Final Score Winning Coach Rec. Runner-Up Coach Rec.
North Central HS, Indianapolis
1983-84 Penn 25, Indianapolis Washington 14 Chris Geesman 14-0 Bob Springer 13-1
Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis
1984-85 Warren Central 28, Hobart 8 Jerry Staufer 14-0 Don Howell 13-1
1985-86 Brownsburg 23, Hobart 17 Mike Godan 14-0 Don Howell 13-1
1986-87 DeKalb 28, Franklin Central 7 Dale Hummer 13-1 Chuck Stephens 12-2
1987-88 Hobart 31, Jasper 0 Don Howell 14-0 Jerry Brewer 13-1
1988-89 Goshen 24, Franklin Central 10 Randy Robertson 14-0 Chuck Stephens 11-3
1989-90 Hobart 17, Franklin Central 7 Don Howell 13-1 Chuck Stephens 12-2
1990-91 Franklin Central 34, Hobart 14 Chuck Stephens 14-0 Don Howell 13-1
1991-92 Hobart 20, Seymour 0 Don Howell 13-1 Joe Goodman 12-2
1992-93 Harrison (West Lafayette) 21, Fort Wayne Wayne 3 A.J. Rickard 13-1 Mark Newlin 10-4
1993-94 Hobart 31, East Central 18 Don Howell 13-1 Rod Ballart 13-1
RCA Dome, Indianapolis
1994-95 East Central 35, DeKalb 0 Rod Ballart 14-0 Ron Kock 13-1
1995-96 Fort Wayne Wayne 28, Franklin County 8 Mark Newlin 12-2 Kent Grider 12-2
1996-97 Indianapolis Cathedral 27, Hobart 7 Rick Streiff 14-0 Don Howell 12-2
1997-98 Griffith 49, Hamilton Southeastern 7 Russ Radtke 14-1 Rob Cutter 13-2
1998-99 Indianapolis Cathedral 38, Concord 7 Rick Streiff 13-2 Tim Dawson 10-5
1999-00 Indianapolis Cathedral 24, Goshen 21 Rick Streiff 13-2 Brad  Park 12-3
2000-01 East Noble 28, Plainfield 7 Tim Able 14-1 Chuck Schwanekamp 14-1
2001-02 Jasper 35, Delta 20 Jerry Brewer 13-1 Grant Zgunda 13-2
2002-03 Roncalli 24, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 21 Bruce Scifres 10-4 Chris Svarczkopf 13-2
2003-04 Roncalli 17, East Noble 0 Bruce Scifres 12-3 Chris DePew 14-1
2004-05 Roncalli 25, Wawasee 10 Bruce Scifres 13-2 Joe Rietveld 13-2
2005-06 Lowell 28, Roncalli 27 Kirk Kennedy 11-4 Bruce Scifres 12-3
2006-07 Indianapolis Cathedral 38, Concord 14 Jim O’Hara 13-2 Tim Dawson 14-1
2007-08 Evansville Reitz 33, Lowell 14 John Hart 15-0 Kirk Kennedy 13-2
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
2008-09 Indianapolis Cathedral 10, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 7 Rick Streiff 12-2 Chris Svarczkopf 14-1
2009-10 Evansville Reitz 23, Lowell 9 Tony Lewis 15-0 Kirk Kennedy 13-2
2010-11 Indianapolis Cathedral 31, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 20 Rick Streiff 12-3 Chris Svarczkopf 13-1
2011-12 Indianapolis Cathedral 42, South Bend Washington 7 Rick Streiff 12-3 Antwon Jones 11-4
2012-13  Indianapolis Cathedral 56, Mishawaka 29  Rick Streiff  10-5  Bart Curtis 11-4
Year Final Score Winning Coach Rec. Runner-Up Coach Rec.
South Bend Washington HS, South Bend
1973-74 South Bend Washington 19, Indianapolis Cathedral 13 Bob Van Camp 12-0 Mike McGinley 11-1
North Central HS, Indianapolis
1974-75 Indianapolis Washington 19, Mishawaka 12 Bob Springer 12-0 Bill Doba 10-2
Valparaiso HS, Valparaiso
1975-76 Valparaiso 14, Carmel 13 Tom Stokes 12-0 Dick Dullaghan 11-1
CYO Stadium, Indianapolis
1976-77 Merrillville 28, Indianapolis Cathedral 24 Ken Haupt 11-1 Mike McGinley 12-1

North Central HS, Indianapolis
1977-78 Portage 33, Evansville Reitz 14 Les Klein 12-1 Bob Padgett 12-1
1978-79 Carmel 35, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 18 Dick Dullaghan 13-0 Larry Bartolameolli 12-1
1979-80 Columbus East 21, Hobart 14 John Stafford 13-0 Don Howell 11-1
1980-81 Carmel 13, Hobart 7 Jim Belden 13-0 Don Howell 11-2
1981-82 Carmel 27, Fort Wayne Snider 0 Jim Belden 14-0 Mike Hawley 13-1
1982-83 Castle 26, Hobart 23 John Lidy 14-0 Don Howell 13-1
Warren Central HS, Indianapolis
1983-84 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 22, Roncalli 21 Andy Johns 14-0 Bill Kuntz 12-2
Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis
1984-85 Brownsburg 17, Concord 12 Mike Godan 14-0 Tom Conn 10-4
1985-86 Roncalli 37, Wawasee 3 Bill Kuntz 13-1 Myron Dickerson 9-5
1986-87 Indianapolis Cathedral 12, NorthWood 0 Mike McGinley 12-2 Jim Andrews 12-2
1987-88 Zionsville 23, Elwood 7 Rick Wimmer 14-0 Mark Hughes 12-2
1988-89 Roncalli 14, Tipton 13 Bill Sylvester 12-2 Mike Tolle 11-3
1989-90 Hammond Bishop Noll 20, Roncalli 14 Jerry Vlasic 13-1 Bill Sylvester 10-4
1990-91 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 56, New Palestine 14 Andy Johns 14-0 Marvin Shepler 12-2
1991-92 Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 34, Indianapolis Cathedral 27 Andy Johns 13-1 Rick Streiff 11-3
1992-93 Indianapolis Cathedral 33, Northwestern 14 Rick Streiff 12-2 Dan Robinson 13-1
1993-94 Roncalli 14, NorthWood 12 Bruce Scifres 14-0 Rich Dodson 13-1
RCA Dome, Indianapolis
1994-95 Roncalli 35, Tipton 14 Bruce Scifres 12-2 Mike Tolle 12-2
1995-96 South Bend St. Joseph’s 28, Jasper 0 Frank Amato 14-0 Jerry Brewer 13-1
1996-97 Zionsville 14, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 7 Larry McWhorter 14-0 Andy Johns 12-2
1997-98 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 27, Andrean 24 Craig Barr 14-1 Ted Karras, Jr. 12-2
1998-99 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 23, NorthWood 6 Craig Barr 13-2 Rich Dodson 11-4
1999-00 Roncalli 24, Norwell 14 Bruce Scifres 15-0 Gary Scott 13-2
2000-01 Heritage Hills 27, Zionsville 24 (OT) Bob Clayton 15-0 Larry McWhorter 11-4
2001-02 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 3, Andrean 0 Tom Dilley 11-4 Jeff Karras 13-2
2002-03 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 31, Andrean 12 Tom Dilley 15-0 Wally McCormack 13-2
2003-04 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 49, NorthWood 0 Vince Lorenzano 14-1 Rich Dodson 11-4
2004-05 Andrean 21, Heritage Hills 14 Brett St. Germain 13-2 Bob Clayton 14-1
2005-06 NorthWood 7, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 0 Rich Dodson 9-6 Vince Lorenzano 12-3
2006-07 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 7, Norwell 0 Vince Lorenzano 14-1 Jeff Miller 14-1
2007-08 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard  31, South Bend St. Joseph’s 7 Vince Lorenzano 12-3 Kevin Downey 12-3
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
2008-09 Bellmont 28, Evansville Memorial 14 Toney Bergman 14-1 John Hurley 12-3
2009-10 West Lafayette 24, Evansville Memorial 10 Marshall Overley 15-0 John Hurley 11-4
2010-11 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 28, South Bend St. Joseph’s 14 Vince Lorenzano 11-4 Ben Downey 9-6
2011-12 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 21, South Bend St. Joseph’s 7 Vince Lorenzano 13-2 Ben Downey 12-3
2012-13  Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 30, Hamilton Heights 13 Vince Lorenzano 13-2 Mitch Street 13-2
           
Year Final Score Winning Coach Rec. Runner-Up Coach Rec.
Greenfield-Central HS, Greenfield
1973-74 Greenfield-Central 21, Blackford 12 Clayton Myers 12-0 Eldon Leeth 9-3
Blackford HS, Blackford
1974-75 Blackford 28, Boonville 14 Eldon Leeth 12-0 Bill Harrawood 10-2
Greenfield-Central HS, Greenfield
1975-76 Mishawaka Marian 34, Greenfield-Central 0 Mike Hecklinski 11-0 Clayton Myers 9-3
Mishawaka Marian HS, Mishawaka
1976-77 Mishawaka Marian 34, Jasper 7 Mike Hecklinski 12-0 Jerry Brewer 12-1
Warren Central HS, Indianapolis
1977-78 Plymouth 21, Jasper 14 (2 OT) Bill Nixon 13-0 Jerry Brewer 12-1
1978-79 Goshen 9, Brownsburg 0 Ken Mirer 12-1 Vic Overman 11-2
1979-80 Blackford 24, Noblesville 22 Charles Lori 13-0 Jim Belden 12-1
1980-81 Franklin Central 19, NorthWood 13 Chuck Stephens 13-0 James Andrews 11-2
1981-82 Franklin Central 34, Goshen 20 Chuck Stephens 12-1 Ken Mirer 11-1
1982-83 Franklin Central 40, McCutcheon 13 Chuck Stephens 12-2 Frank O’Shea 13-1
Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis
1983-84 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 20, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 16 Chuck Schwanekamp 14-0 Steve Keefer 9-5
Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis
1984-85 Indianapolis Bishop Chatard 35, West Lafayette 7 Chuck Schwanekamp 13-1 Ernie Beck 11-3
1985-86 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 25, Lawrenceburg 7 Steve Keefer 11-3 Glenn Crocker 13-1
1986-87 Whitko 26, Tell City 0 Bryan Sprunger 14-0 Mike Spencer 10-4
1987-88 Rochester 23, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 20 Mark Miller 12-2 Rick Carrico 12-2
1988-89 Western Boone 14, South Spencer 7 Jeff Pearson 13-1 Jerry Denstorff 12-2
1989-90 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 24, Tri-West Hendricks 22 Matt Lindsay 12-2 Mike Gillin 13-1
1990-91 Indianapolis Scecina 28, River Forest 27 Ott Hurrle 9-5 Tom Redman 11-3
1991-92 Indianapolis Scecina 20, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 17 Ott Hurrle 11-3 Matt Lindsay 8-6
1992-93 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 17, Westfield 0 Matt Lindsay 13-1 Dick Parker 12-2
1993-94 West Lafayette 22, Providence 7 Ernie Beck 14-0 Gene Sartini 11-3
RCA Dome, Indianapolis
1994-95 Bremen 38, Evansville Mater Dei 10 Martin Huber 12-2 Frank Will 11-3
1995-96 North Montgomery 20, Bremen 17 Charley German 13-1 Martin Huber 12-2
1996-97 North Montgomery 37, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 34 Charley German 13-1 Matt Lindsay 8-6
1997-98 Jimtown 63, Clarksville 0 Bill Sharpe 15-0 Dennis Hawkins 10-4
1998-99 Jimtown 28, Western Boone 0 Bill Sharpe 15-0 Jeff Pearson 14-1
1999-00 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 38, Danville 6 Matt Lindsay 13-2 Bob Copeland 14-1
2000-01 Evansville Mater Dei 56, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 10 Mike Goebel 15-0 Matt Lindsay 14-1
2001-02 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 57, Evansville Mater Dei 29 Matt Lindsay 14-0 Mike Goebel 14-1
2002-03 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 36, Southridge 30 Matt Lindsay 12-3 Brad Hanner 12-3
2003-04 Tri-West Hendricks 41, Harding 36 Mark Haste 14-1 Sherwood Haydock 13-2
2004-05 Tri-West Hendricks 62, Eastbrook 21 Mark Haste 15-0 Jeff Adamson 14-1
2005-06 Jimtown 35, North Posey 7 Bill Sharpe 14-1 Joe Gengelbach 12-3
2006-07 Harding 20, Southridge 7 Sherwood Haydock 12-3 Kelly Murphy 12-3
2007-08 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 21, Heritage Christian 6 Matt Lindsay 11-4 Ron Qualls 13-2
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
2008-09 Heritage Christian 17, Cass 14 Ron Qualls 14-1 Scott Mannering 13-2
2009-10 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 24, Monrovia 17 Matt Lindsay 10-5 Kevin Hutchins 14-1
2010-11 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 26, North Putnam 14 Matt Lindsay 14-1 Greg Barrett 14-1
2011-12 Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 41, Evansville Mater Dei 17 Matt Lindsay 13-1 Mike Goebel 13-2
2012-13  Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 40, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 28 Steve Keefer  11-4 Ty Hunt 14-1
           
Year Final Score Winning Coach Rec. Runner-Up Coach Rec.
Providence HS, Clarksville
1973-74 Mishawaka Marian 21, Providence 14 Mike Hecklinski 10-2 Gene Sartini 11-1
Garrett HS, Garrett
1974-75 Garrett 20, North Knox 6 David Wiant 11-0 Jim Beery 9-3
Lawrenceburg HS, Lawrenceburg
1975-76 Lawrenceburg 28, Wes-Del 14 Dick Meador 11-1 Dave Land 11-1
Lafayette Central Catholic HS, Lafayette
1976-77 Lafayette Central Catholic 8, Lawrenceburg 6 Paul LaRocca 11-2 Dick Meador 11-2
Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis
1977-78 Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 15, Tippecanoe Valley 6 Duffy Hagist 11-1 Charles Smith 12-1
1978-79 Lawrenceburg 34, Fountain Central 6 Dick Meador 13-0 Dale Hummer 11-2
1979-80 Tippecanoe Valley 44, Hamilton Southeastern 14 Charles Smith 13-0 David Enright 12-1
1980-81 Sheridan 27, North Judson 0 Larry Wright 13-0 Russ Radtke 12-1
1981-82 Hamilton Southeastern 7, Woodlan 6 Dave Enright 11-0 Leland Etzler 8-3
1982-83 Oak Hill 14, Southridge 7 Terry Lichtenberg 13-1 Bob Hawkins 11-3
Lawrence North HS, Indianapolis
1983-84 Fountain Central 12, Churubusco 3 Rick Malone 13-1 Rick Lightfoot 11-3
Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis
1984-85 Sheridan 19, North Judson 10 Larry Wright 14-0 Russ Radtke 13-1
1985-86 Eastern Hancock 20, Jimtown 7 Bob Copeland 13-1 Bill Sharpe 11-2
1986-87 South Putnam 29, North Judson 21 Mark Wildman 11-3 Russ Radtke 13-1
1987-88 Sheridan 10, Jimtown 0 Larry Wright 12-2 Bill Sharpe 12-1
1988-89 Sheridan 59, Bremen 0 Larry Wright 14-0 Martin Huber 11-3
1989-90 Bremen 31, Springs Valley 8 John Kucela 11-3 Bill Harris 13-1
1990-91 South Decatur 44, Southwood 15 Ken Wendling 13-0 David Wilhelm 12-2
1991-92 Jimtown 13, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 7 Bill Sharpe 12-1 Vince Lorenzano 9-5
1992-93 Sheridan 6, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 0 Larry Wright 10-4 Vince Lorenzano 8-6
1993-94 North Miami 37, West Washington 16 Bob Bridge 11-3 Todd Pritchett 11-3
RCA Dome, Indianapolis
1994-95 North White 34, Sheridan 7 Jim Davis 14-0 Larry Wright 11-3
1995-96 Carroll (Flora) 26, Tri-West Hendricks 13 John Hendryx 13-1 Mark Haste 12-2
1996-97 Tri-West Hendricks 37, Carroll (Flora) 14 Mark Haste 14-0 John Hendryx 13-1
1997-98 Pioneer 49, Knightstown 21 Mike Johnson 15-0 Don Willard 14-1
1998-99 Sheridan 56, North White 33 Larry Wright 14-1 Jim Davis 12-3
1999-00 Lafayette Central Catholic 59, Perry Central 7 Scott Muncy 14-0 Terry Wagner 12-3
2000-01 Adams Central 29, Attica 21 Rick Minnich 12-3 David McDonald 14-1
2001-02 Southern Wells 30, Perry Central 7 Mark Lefebvre 14-1 Mike Spencer 14-1
2002-03 Southwood 17, South Putnam 14 Terry Siddall 13-1 Mark Wildman 12-3
2003-04 Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 28, Seeger 0 Jim Boswell 12-2 Brian Moore 14-1
2004-05 Seeger 20, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 7 Brian Moore 15-0 Jim Boswell 10-5
2005-06 Sheridan 21, Knightstown 7 Larry Wright 13-2 Don Willard 14-1
2006-07 Sheridan 34, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 28 (OT) Larry Wright 15-0 Ty Hunt 13-2
2007-08 Sheridan 34, Rockville 28 Larry Wright 15-0 Herb King 14-1
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
2008-09 Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter 34, Sheridan 27 Ty Hunt 15-0 Larry Wright 13-2
2009-10 Lafayette Central Catholic 52, Fountain Central 0 Kevin O’Shea 15-0 Rick Malone 14-1
2010-11 Lafayette Central Catholic 31, Fountain Central 6 Kevin O’Shea 15-0 Rick Malone 13-2
2011-12 Lafayette Central Catholic 38, Indianapolis Scecina 7 Kevin O’Shea 15-0 Ott Hurrle 11-4
2012-13  Lafayette Central Catholic 14, Indianapolis Scecina 0 Kevin O'Shea 14-1 Ott Hurrle 11-4